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CB7 Resolution Regarding 22 Caton Place

Following is the full text of the CB7 Resolution passed as a result of the public hearing for the ULURP application on Nov. 10, 2005. We had a strong show of support from the community as residents and others spoke on everything from density concerns, to parking, to solid and hazardous waste concerns, to safety for horses and pedestrians and more. Our concerns were heard and CB7 passed a resolution calling for a denial of the application for upzoning and a rezoning study of the neighborhood.

Thanks to everyone who came out to testify and thanks to CB7, especially Randy Peers and the members of the Land Use Committee, for their support of our efforts to encourage sensible neighborhood development.

Community Board 7 Land Use Committee Resolution Regarding 22 Caton Place
With respect to ULURP application # C050203 ZMK, concerning 22 Caton Place, the committee recommends the Board reject the application for the following reasons:

1. No guarantee that the applicant/developer will in fact build the stated development project at the site and could in fact sell the property under the new zoning.

2. That the EIS does not accurately reflect conditions in the area because it does not take into account two other major projects under development in the near vicinity. When examined in aggregate, the three projects total a 45% increase in the number of dwelling units in a 7-block area.

3. If the proposed development does proceed, there is no guarantee that the units will be rentals or be affordable.

4. That the area is already overburdened by a lack of parking, and any proposed development under the new zoning would not require 100% parking.

5. That the proposed development out of character with community, in particular, the surrounding blocks which include many small one and two family homes and the horse stables.

6. The majority of residents oppose the change as was clearly stated at the public hearing held on November 8th, 2005.

We further request that City Planning undertake a study of rezoning the surrounding community to comply with the original intent of the Special Ocean Parkway District, to protect the interior blocks. The Special Ocean Parkway District Re Zoning originally passed by the Borough Board on April 20, 1993 and specifically called for the down zoning of this area if the proposed nursing home (at 711 Caton Avenue) was not approved. As almost 14 years have passed and no nursing home has been built or approved for this site, it is essential that this small section of our community commonly known as East Windsor Terrace be afforded the protection denied to it when the Special Ocean Parkway District was approved.

Report on the May 22, 2005, CB 7 Community Walking Tour

On Sunday, May 22, approximately 65 East Windsor Terrace neighbors and friends of Kensington Stables met with Jeremy Laufer, Randy Peers, and Joseph Longobardi, members of Community Board 7, City Councilmember Bill de Blasio, and Richard Bearak, Deputy Director of Zoning & Housing Development at Borough President Marty Markowitz's offiice, for a walking tour of proposed building sites in the neighborhood.

Neigbhors gather to hear list of concerns

Our meeting kicked off with Nick Bedell reading a list of community "demands" that were warmly received. Starting with the maxim, "smaller is better," the demands are a working list for the EWTCG to discuss and further refine as we work with city government to protect and shape our neighborhood. (Nick--send a copy so we can put it up on the site!)

The walking tour moved from site to site and discussed zoning and other issues at each stop. Here is a summary of the afternoon.

Richard Bearak of Brooklyn Borough Prez's office

Site 1: 23 Caton Place, north side
The north side of Caton Place between E 8 St and Ocean Pky, former Little Grey Barn stable and tire warehouse building, is slated to become a high rise apartment with 107 units to be built by architect Karl Fischer. The building site is zoned R7A, which allows for this type of construction. As the builders did not need to seek a variance, there was no hearing related to the proposed construction. However, as a group, we must act as watchdogs to make sure that the developers act responsibly. CALL 311 for any and all infractions and get a complaint number. We can hold developers to the letter of the law if we are vigilant and, hopefully, we can influence them to work with us rather than against us in the process. As it happens, one of the site owners, who is often on Caton Place in his SUV, was parked nearby as we met. Mr. de Blasio spoke with him and invited him to speak with the group, but he declined and made a call to his partner who he said might join us to speak later (he did not). He did show the architectural plans to some of the people standing around. It is unknown whether these plans are finalized or whether there is some time for the community to seek concessions from the developer. As of this writing the plans were not available at the DOB.

Residents who live near construction sites, take note: document the condition of your apartment or house now. Photograph current cracks, etc. If damage occurs during demolition and construction, you will need to be able to prove it.

City Councilmember Bill de Blasio

Site 2: 22 Caton Place, south side
The south side of Caton Place, site of the former chalkboard factory across the street from Site 1, has been bought by developers who are seeking a zoning variance to build a high rise residence larger than current zoning allows. Because of this, we have the opportunity to get involved in the review process from the CB level through the City Council. The process is long and difficult; zoning rulings often favor developers--who are experienced with the system--over community groups who are learning as they go. However, we can have a voice if we are organized. Richard Bearak, from Markowitz's office, suggested that we open dialogues with developers. It is possible that developers would respect our wishes for the neighborhood and expedite govenment process as well. But in order to do this, we need to be clear about what we want for the neighborhood.

Kermit Place and Coney Island Avenue

Site 3: 364 Coney Island Avenue, corner of Kermit Place
The corner lot, currently empty save for some trucks, and including the former ice cream and bbq stands, is owned by Kermit Square LLC, who sought a variance from CB 7 to build a high rise residential building similar to the one going up at 350 CIA (site 4, discussed below). The variance was denied by CB 7,which suggested to the builders that they come up with a commercial plan in line with the current C8-2 zoning of the site. Randy Peers, chair of CB 7's land use committee, suggested that contextual residential buildings--two- or three-story buildings--would be acceptable to CB 7, as well. Again, we need to decide as a community group what kind of development we want in the neighborhood. This would be a good site for discussion with the developers, as they have not proposed another plan yet.

Site 4: 350 Coney Island Ave, between Caton Place and Kermit Place
Currently under construction, this will be an 9-story apartment building. The developer had originally applied for a variance to build a 12-story building, which was denied by CB 7. They suggested that the developers return with a revised 7-story building. Instead, the City Council approved their plan for the 9-story building going up.

Building now demolished; lot for sale

Site 5: 701-711 Caton Ave, north side
What is happening on the large empty lot currently holding construction equipment and garden supplies? Nobody seems to know for sure! CB 7 has not been apprised of any plans yet and has agreed to look up the current owners for us. The site is currently zoned R6, which most of us at the meeting think is wrong for the street and the neighborhood. If we favor a change, we need to decide what we want and talk to the owners. If they have no concrete plans for the site, perhaps they will be open to our ideas.

Vacant lot on Caton Avenue

NEXT STEPS
The walking tour was educational and invigorating for those who attended. There is alot for us to do cooperatively if we are to succeed in keeping our neighborhood safe, cute, and quiet. Here are some next steps:

* Join the Yahoo! Group, StableBrooklyn. Though not everyone uses email, it is an extraordinarily effective way to communicate and organize. The more of us who are on the list, the more informed we'll all be. Start an email thread!

* Organize a leadership meeting. Lots of discussion was generated about committees that would concentrate on monitoring the different building sites and the stable itself; on resident issues for renters, co-op and condo owners, and homeowners; on functions like publicity, development oversight and review, rezoning process, safety and neighborhood beautification, etc. We propose to hold a meeting in early June for people willing to define and lead a committee. Come prepared to organize and volunteer to take something on! Details on the meeting forthcoming.* Coordinate monthly EWTCG meetings. Among other things, we need to organize "telephone trees" on a block or building level, with individuals responsible for putting up flyers and letting their neighbors know about meetings, events, etc. Next meeting TBA!

* Attend other meetings.
--Marty Markowitz's "town hall" meeting is May 31 at Marine Park Middle School.
--CB 7 land use committee meeting is June 6--time / place TBA.

Neighbors listening during walking tour

* Deliver our petition to officials. To date, we have over 100 signatures to our petition. We will deliver copies of the petitions to CB 7, Mayor Bloomberg, Marty Markowitz, Amanda Burden of the Dept. of City Planning, Bill de Blasio, and State Assemblyman Jim Brennan soon. You can read the petition at www.stablebrooklyn.com. If you are still collecting signatures, please drop off your petitions at 51 Kermit Place by 5/31/05 so we can bring them to Mr. Markowitz personally.

Thanks to everyone for a very important and successful walking tour of East Windsor Terrace. Please use the Yahoo Group for corrections and comments or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Respectfully submitted,
June Reich