Dear Neighbor,
There’s just one week before the March 24th deadline to submit a written response to City Planning regarding the Scope Document for the proposed Toll Brothers 477-unit development on the Gowanus Canal. In order for the community’s responses and concerns to be considered in the project’s scoping process (preparing the Environmental Impact Statement), they must received in writing by the March 24th deadline.
There are many areas to focus on in a response to a Scoping Document, such as: Shadows, Historic Resources, Community Facilities (i.e. Daycare), Neighborhood Character, Hazardous Materials, Infrastructure, Solid Waste and Sanitation, Traffic and Parking, Construction Impacts, and Public Health, to name a few.
How to start? First, go online to look at the Toll Brothers Proposed Draft Scope of Work Document itself on Community Board 6’s website:
Click here, or use the following link: http://www.brooklyncb6.org/committees/?a=detail&content_id=52
1) What SPECIFIC issue (or issues) do you have concerns about? Find it in the Scope Document and note the number of the task and its heading, i.e. “TASK 13: INFRASTRUCTURE”, and be sure to make reference to that in your letter.
2) Look up your particular area of concern under its chapter heading in the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Technical Manual (use the above CB6 link). How does the Toll Brothers Scoping Document appear to meet or not meet those city guidelines?
3) Format for your response: Write an opening paragraph, followed by the specific Task # and Heading and how you think that issue(s) needs to be more thoroughly addressed in the scope. Your response carries more weight if it’s logical, precise, laser specific and incorporates data justification whenever possible.
4) Make 2 copies of your letter, sign and send to:
Robert Dobnuskin & City of New York Community Board 6
Dept. of City Planning 250 Baltic Street
22 Reade St. Brooklyn, NY 11201
New York, NY 10007 Attn: Craig Hammerman, Dist. Manager
Remember, these responses are referring to the Toll Brothers Scoping Document itself- we’re asking if it is sufficient enough and does it satisfy the community’s concerns?
Any questions? Please contact us and we will try to help you as best we can. Good luck!
-Friends of Bond
If you have ANY questions, we’re ready to help answer them as best we can-
Email your questions to: Rita Miller at: cgcord@gmail.com or to Lizzie O. at: friendsofbond@gmail.com
Remember, the style of these written responses should be, very detailed, specific, and factual, to the best of your ability. Obviously, most of us are not technical experts but we’re part of the community immediately affected by the Toll Brothers proposal, and our concerns matter.
Your time and letter writing are so WELL WORTH IT!!
