Important Update And Meeting Regarding Lightstone's Proposed Gowanus Project

Old rendering of Lightstone Development next to the Gowanus Canal (credit: Lightstone Group)

New Rendering Of Lightstone Development
(Via Councilman Lander's office)

New elevation drawings for Lightstone Project. Click here for enlarged view

(Via Councilman Lander's office)

New FEMA Advisory Base Flood Elevations for Gowanus

Lightstone Development site, Canal at Carroll Street during Sandy (photo credit: Margaret Maugenest)

Second Street at canal during storm (photo credit: Triada Samaras)

Sandy flooding at First Street near Canal (photo credit: Carl Teitelbaum)

***Important Information For All Carroll Gardens/Gowanus Residents***

NYC Department Of City Planning Hearing On Lightstone Project 

363-365 Bond Street; Restrictive declaration approval to existing plan

Tomorrow, Monday March 18

at 1 pm

Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, New York, New York

There is some very important information that was circulated late last week on Lightstone Group's proposed large-scale Gowanus development at 363-365 Bond Street, between Carroll Street and 2nd Street.
According to Councilman Brad Lander's office, which informed several Gowanus residents on Thursday evening, Lightstone is proceeding with the project "as of right" and has abandoned the minor modification which they had previously requested of NYC's Department of City Planning (DCP).

In 2012, hoping to piggy-back on the former Toll Brothers project at the same site, Lightstone had sought DCP's approval for variations in the base height of the project, building heights and footprints of portions of the buildings, relocation of parking entrances, changes to the location and design of the open space, and changes to the number of residential units from 447 to 700.  DCP considered these changes "minor" modification's, which are subject to review and approval only by the Commission, rather than 'major' modifications that require the initiation of a new ULURP.

DCP was going to rule on this matter in November 2012, but the hearing never took place because of Hurricane Sandy. The community was told that DCP and its Brooklyn office were first waiting for the release of Federal Emergency Management Agency's new post-Sandy "Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFE)", which indicate significant expansion of the flood plains.
The ABFEs for the Gowanus area were published very recently.

Perhaps concerned about new flood regulations in Zone A and of legal challenges, Lightstone has re-configured the proposed 700-unit development so that it can move forward according to the site's existing zoning. To address the fact that the land sits squarely in FEMA's flood zone A and to comply with new waterfront development rules, Lightstone has pulled away slightly from the water and increased the grade at First Street.

City Planning has placed the Lightstone item back on its calendar for tomorrow, Monday March 18, at 1 pm, Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street, New York, New York. (It's the 9th agenda item).  The meeting is open, but no comments will be accepted from the public.
All important information can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/luproc/reviewsession.pdf?r=031813

I urge everyone to attend. This project will most likely serve as the blueprint for the over-all rezoning for the Gowanus Canal and will create repercussions for neighboring residents.  The plan to raise the entire site will most likely increase flooding in nearby properties.  

Councilman Brad Lander, who has previously asked Lightstone to withdraw its application, issued the following comment on Friday:  “In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, I continue to believe it is a mistake to move forward with dense, high-rise, residential development without a comprehensive plan for infrastructure and land use regulations that Gowanus needs.” 

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Knock, Knock! Opossum At The Front Door

(photo credit: Nicholas Gorczynski)

Opossum sightings have become quite frequent in Carroll Gardens the last few year.  Here is yet another one.  Local resident Nicholas Gorczynski found one just outside his front door.  The little critter must have climbed up the stoop.
Nicholas grabbed his camera and shot these very funny photos.  He writes:

Not too long ago you had some articles about an opossum family that was proliferating in the neighborhood right? This [Friday] morning there was a little guy at the front door on (2nd place between Clinton and Henry). I opened the door and he was looking up like he was waiting to get in. He kind of blocked me in so I went out through the garden entrance instead and took some pictures.I don't think he was dangerous, just cold and scared. From reading anyway, I learned that having opposums around can be a good thing. 

My neighbor had a little interaction with him (his tail got caught in the door!) and once free he went on his way peacefully. She mentioned that she has seen these little guys on the block for some time and they make their appearance on occasion.

I must admit that opossums are quite cute, but I probably would not have tried to walk passed him either.  Thanks for sharing this, Nick.

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Carroll Gardens Cookie Kids Hold First Bake Sale Of The Season

(photo credit: Cookie Kids)

The Cookie Kids, an incredible group started by Georgia Fumusa and her friends, of 4th Graders from PS 58, have been fundraising for various causes for a few months now. It all started when they organized a bake sale for their school. This first fundraiser was such a success that they were encouraged to keep going, raising funds for worthwhile causes.

This week-end, they are back for the first time this season.  Make sure you stop by to support them.

Carroll Gardens Cookie Kids are back with their first Bake Sale of 2013:

Sunday 3/15, corner of Smith & President Streets, starting at Noon!

These cute little leprechauns are "Thinking Green" in honor of St. Patty's Day and will be offering the luck o' the Irish with treats including Rainbow Cupcakes, gold coins, Shamrock Whoopie Pies, Green Krispie Treats, Macaroons and much more sugar and spice and everything nice. The kids will even have biscuits for our four-legged friends! All proceeds go directly to charity.Little Kids with Big Hearts:Cookie Kids began in the PS 58 schoolyard as an idea shared by a bunch of 4th Grade pals. Last Fall, the Cookie Kids Bake Sales raised thousands of dollars in donations given to a variety of non-profit organizations (including the Red Hook Initiative, Autism Speaks, and Pediatric Cancer Research).Look for these fundraising bake sales in the neighborhood on weekends throughout the Spring and give what you can. For updates, please check out CK founder (and one smart cookie) Georgia Fumusa's blog:  http://58bakes.blogspot.comThank you, in advance, for your continued support. Together we can make the world a better place ~ or a least a little sweeter ~ one cookie at a time.

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Great News For Neighborhood Gardeners: Gowanus Nursery To Re-Open March 23rd

(photo credit: Gowanus Nursery)

Best news for all neighborhood gardeners and certain proof that spring is most definitely around the corner. After their yearly winter hiatus, the Gowanus Nursery is re-opening next week-end. I can hardly wait.
From their Facebook page:

With many projects still under way, it is with sweat on our brow that we mention our opening date, March 23rd, 2013March hours: Saturday and Sunday 11-5 Early April Hours: 10-6 Thursday through Sunday.

Gowanus Nursery

9 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY.

(718) 852-3116

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Meet The NYC Mayoral Candidates And Let Them Hear Your Brooklyn-Specific Concerns

The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats along with other member organizations of the Brooklyn Reform Coalition are holding a NYC Mayoral Forum featuring the leading Democratic candidates on April 3rd, 2013 at St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street at 6:30 PM.

All info can be found here.

This is a  perfect opportunity to ask the candidates questions and to address issues specific to Brooklyn and to our neighborhood.  So plan to attend.

Just out of curiosity, what would you ask these five candidates?  What should be brought up as the most pressing concerns?  Development? Education? Infrastructure?  Quality of life?  Have you already decided who you will vote for?

Let's hear it.

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"The Glory Of Brooklyn": An Evening Of Art And Literature At The Carroll Gardens Library

(photo credit: Thomas Rupolo)

Friends of the Carroll Gardens Library(FCGL), a group that supports, fundraises and brings programming to our local library branch, is hosting yet another interesting event that brings literature and art together this coming Tuesday.

THE GLORY OF BROOKLYN: AN ARTISTIC AND LITERARY EVENING

AT THE CARROLL GARDENS LIBRARY

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Transcendent photographs. Evocative essays. Haunting watercolor paintings. No matter the medium, the sentiment of respect clearly shines through in the art and writings of a talented trio – Thomas Rupolo; Joan MaransDim; and Antonio Masi, who will present their works in an entertaining evening at the Carroll Gardens Library, March 19, 7 to 9 p.m.

Carroll Gardens resident Joan Marans Dim, an essayist and historian, and New York City artist Antonio Masi will discuss their book New York's Golden Age of Bridges. With a visual presentation focused on the four bridges of Brooklyn – the Brooklyn, Manhattan Bridge Williamsburg and the Verrazano-Narrows --the discussion will“span” the bridges’ artistic and cultural underpinnings, and their impact nationally as well as worldwide.

Bridges form connections over water, and many area residents feel a strong connection to the nearby waterfront community of Red Hook. Photographer Thomas Rupolo will explore the “lost continent” of Red Hook, where “even cabbies can’t find their way” in a presentation of photos as bright and vibrant as the people who live there, as featured in his book Images of Red Hook.

This event is the latest in a series of artistic and literary evenings hosted by the Friends of the Carroll Gardens Library, offeringfree refreshments of wine and cheese. Signed books will be available for purchase. Auditorium (basement) of the Carroll Gardens Library, 396 Clinton Street at the corner of Union Street.Free and Open to the Public.

ABOUT ANTONIO MASI: Antonio Masi, fascinated by bridges since childhood, began painting them a decade ago. He is drawn particularly to the 59th Street (the recently renamed Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, which his grandfather Francesco Masi helped build. Masi has won national and global acclaim for his paintings of New York City bridges.

ABOUT JOAN MARANS DIM: Joan Dim is co-author of The Miracle on Washington Square: New York University and the author of the novel Recollections of a Rotten Kid. She has traveled the bridges of New York City all her life and is a proud Carroll Gardens resident.

ABOUT THOMAS RUPOLO: Tom Rupolo has been living in and around Red Hook for 15 years. Formerly a nature photographer, he found that moving to Brooklyn provided new subjects such as industrial sites, architectural oddities, street life and close-ups of urban details.

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Get Rid Of Potentially Harmful Household Products At Sanitation Department Event In Brooklyn

Spring 2013 NYC SAFE Disposal Events

(Solvents, Automotive, Flammable, Electronics)

Don't know what to do about those old paint cans that you have accumulated during various home improvement projects?  Do you have some old electronics that you want to get rid of?  How about old household cleaning products that you don't use any more?
Community Board 6 just sent around news of a NYC Department of Sanitation SAFE event, at which you will be able to dispose of some of these more dangerous.
One of these events will be held in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn SAFE Disposal Event

Sunday, April 7

10am-4pm Prospect Park, 

Park Circle corner of Parkside Ave & Prospect Park SW

 (cars approach from Ocean Ave & Lincoln Rd)

The NYC Department of Sanitation is holding five SAFE Disposal Events this spring (one in each borough) to provide NYC residents with a one-stop method to get rid of potentially harmful household products. If you cannot attend any of the events, see harmful household products.
The blue and green recycling bin mascots will make appearances at all the SAFE disposal events.

Commonly used household products can be harmful to you, your family, your pets, city workers, and the environment if improperly stored, used, or discarded.

when & where
who can participate
what to bring
how to package materials
what happens to this stuff
poison help hotline
SAFE events go social
event organizers
public notification

ALSO SEE:
harmful household products
electronics recycling

For more information, click here

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