Thursday, January 31, 2008

RESOLUTION DAY

On Wednesday, January 30, 2008, our Councilman, Bill DeBlasio introduced to his fellow Council Members, a Resolution calling for two things that a substantial number of Carroll Gardens residents have been seeking for quite some time.

Councilman DeBlasio asked for the requested downzoning study to commence immediately and, more importantly, called to halt construction on anything that would exceed fifty feet (a simplified representation of the downzoning result) immediately as well. For all intents and purposes, he asked for the interim moratorium that we have been hoping for.

Now, unfortunately, a Resolution, even if unanimously passed, is not legally binding. It is not law. It is little more than an agreement between civilized parties. But, we, at CORD are most appreciative of this first step. Councilman DeBlasio promised this to us back in September and he has delivered. Some people would say, “So what? It doesn’t really mean anything.” But, we think it took courage to take this very politically unpopular idea to the Council Chambers.

We think that this is the way change begins. It starts with thinking about things differently, challenging what is no longer working and looking for a way to do and make things better.

What was introduced on January 30th, in the NYC Council Chambers was a small, but very good first step. We must remember that real change takes determination, purpose, conviction and tenacity. It takes resolve.

January 30th was Resolution Day.

CORD


CORD HISTORY:

With the "Protect Our Homes" petition, CORD was formed in May, 2007. This petition arose as an overwhelmingly negative response to the coming of the over-sized 360 Smith Street Development at the corner of Smith Street and Second Place (Aka Oliver House; aka 131 Second Place). This petition, which had well over three thousand signatures, led to a new zoning text amendment in summer of 2008.

To: Our Elected Officials, Community Leaders, The MTA:
(MAY, 2007)

We the undersigned Carroll Gardens homeowners and residents, are appalled by the "as of right" ruling which allows owners and developers to erect buildings in our neighborhood with no regard to the impact they will present to our quality of life and the value of our homes........

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?crlgrdns