TOP LIST OF AGENDA ITEMS AT CB3 MONTHLY MEETING

On March 5, 2007, Community Board 3 which represent Brooklyn’s Bedford Stuyvesant and Ocean Hill neighborhoods held its monthly meeting at the Central Brooklyn Community Service Center. The meeting, which took place in the facility’s spacious auditorium, was certainly a warm welcome for all who faced the freezing cold to attend.

During the informational presentation, the New York City Planning Commission presented its contextual zoning proposal which affects the southern half of community board 3. The power point presentation gave an overview of the city’s plan to preserve the integrity of the Bedford Stuyvesant community by enforcing building codes that accent and compliment the community’s rich legacy and prized housing stock. “The City Planning staff along with Mayor Bloomberg considers Bedford Stuyvesant one of the City’s treasured neighborhoods,” stated spokeswoman, Darlene Mele. “It is our priority to protect the character of the neighborhood’s beautiful brownstone blocks.”

The proposed codes include height regulations that prevent developers from constructing structures that overshadow and obstruct property; exterior compliance that compliment overall block aesthetics and key incentives to stimulate and increase affordable housing. In addition to residential zoning, the proposal addressed commercial use along Fulton Street and major north south corridors. The committee also proposed reevaluating zoning codes within heavy concentrated residential blocks.

During the public hearing section the Land Use Committee, chaired by C. Doris Pinn, introduced the Pratt Area Community Council. Along with developer Deb Howard, the Clinton Hill based organization presented their proposed Gates Avenue Cooperative project. The five stories, 34 unit residential building will include moderately priced one and two bedroom apartments, parking and a shared garden.

The budget committee, chaired by Bernice McRae, will hold a yet to be scheduled public hearing to solicit comments and concerns regarding the preliminary capital and expense budget for the 2008 fiscal year. Proposed projects include reconstruction of Nostrand Avenue from Flushing to Atlantic Avenues and Quincy Street from Classon Avenue to Broadway; reconstruction of Public School 6 Playground; rehabilitation, expansion and enhancement of Von King Cultural Arts Center; reconstruction along Fulton Street from Bedford to Saratoga Avenues, Kingston Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to Fulton Street and Halsey Street from Troop to Broadway.

Other items include the revitalization and fostering of commercial and business development opportunities for potential entrepreneurs on Tompkins Avenue between Fulton and Flushing; providing funds to establish an Art & Cultural center and directory; acquire additional manpower for the 79th and 81st Precincts; establishing senior citizen housing; providing community based mental health services. CB3 also propose funding for fire prevention and anti drug & quality of life police task forces.

Bridge Street Development Corporation ended the public hearing section. Introduced by CB3’s Economic Development Committee Chair, Tohma Faulkner, the faith based non profit organization requested a letter of support for its proposed grant from the NY Main Street Project Program. The grant, which encourages building and merchant cooperative revitalization, will allow the organization to beautify the Tompkins Avenue commercial strip between Halsey & Putnam. The committee voted 33 to 1 in favor of the letter.

Forthcoming items on CB3’s list include a Youth Gang Prevention Conference which is scheduled to take place May 16, at Brooklyn Academy High School and a proposed Town Hall Meeting with District Attorney Charles Hynes. A date, time and location for the town hall meeting have yet to be confirmed.