Saturday, August 29, 2009

YES YES! JOSH SKALLER FOR CITY COUNCIL!

Hello!
We have said it before and we are saying it again:

JOSH SKALLER IS THE ONE!

But please don't take our word for it.
PLEASE visit WNBC New York
and see for yourselves!

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Brooklyn-Borough-President-and-Council-Seats--54150997.html


CORD’S CHOICE of JOSH SKALLER for City Councilman in the 39th District

In Spring of 2009, CORD held a Public Forum, to introduce all 5 Democratic Candidates and 1 Green Party candidate to voters of the 39th Election District. The Forum was followed by individual and personal interviews given by a small committee from CORD. After much thought and consideration, CORD has chosen JOSH SKALLER to represent Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, and Boro Park as Councilman in the 39th District.

Although all Candidates presented somewhat worthwhile platforms, JOSH SKALLER
rose above the others in his honesty and determination to make positive changes in
existing local policies. His strength lies in the fact that he will not accept monies from
developers and lobbyists who overlook their responsibility to the character of each neighborhood. He understands the need for affordable housing and will
work toward accomplishing that goal.

Josh will aim to preserve small businesses that help make our communities so desirable. He believes that development on the Gowanus Canal should coincide with government clean up that allows for residents to enjoy living
in a safe and healthy environment. Josh advocates improvements in education with smaller class size, less teaching for a test, more teacher and parent involvement in educational planning and individual student needs. Josh’s goal as Councilman is to reform existing policies that allow tax breaks and corruption in local government, and to give voters a stronger voice in their own communities.

JOSH SKALLER IS OPEN, SINCERE, HONEST AND CARING. HE IS DETERMINED TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE HIS MANTRA.

JOSH SKALLER IS CORD’S CHOICE FOR COUNCIL IN 39TH DISTRICT.


If you want to see these changes happen, you can vote for JOSH SKALLER on
September 15th at your voting poll. If you would like to meet Josh in person (and he WILL! come and meet you in person) or if have any other questions, please visit:
skaller09.com or call 718-568 9699.

Thank you.
CORD

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

CORD "TO DO LIST" (2) ATTEND CITY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING WEDNESDAY RE: CARROLL GARDENS/COLUMBIA STREET REZONING!

CRUCIAL Public Meeting!

RE: Carroll Gardens/Columbia Street Rezoning
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/carroll_columbia/index.shtml

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009, 10:00 AM in Spector Hall
22 Reade Street, New York, New York

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/luproc/calbeg.shtml

ALL ARE WELCOME!

The Calendar includes:
- General Rules of Procedure
- The Commission
- Order of Business & Index
- How to Participate (Including form for written
comments)
- Scheduling for Next Commission Meeting
- Reports
- Public Hearings

FOR THE BORO PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATION SEE BELOW:






Monday, August 17, 2009

CORD "TO DO LIST" (1) CALL OUT GOVERNOR PATERSON ON HIS SUPERFUND FLIP FLOP!

GOVERNOR PATERSON HAS FLIP-FLOPPED ON THE SUPERFUND OF THE GOWANUS CANAL ISSUE! IT IS TIME TO CALL THE GOVERNOR!


Please call now and ask that the Governor support the DEC commission's request for an EPA Superfund cleanup of the Gowanus!

David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

518-474-8390


http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/32/32/32_32_mm_gowanus_flip_flop.html

Thursday, August 13, 2009

MORE INFORMATION TO THINK ABOUT REGARDING THE CARROLL GARDENS/COLUMBIA WATERFRONT REZONING

SOME MORE INFORMATION TO THINK ABOUT REGARDING THE CARROLL GARDENS/COLUMBIA WATERFRONT REZONING:

On Friday, August 7th, CORD posted some information on our blog and in our email/newsletter regarding the options available to us within the City Planning Commission's rezoning proposal.

Since Friday, we have received a bit more information regarding another difference between the current R6 and proposed R6A classification. This food for thought is from a CORD affiliated (NYC) zoning expert.

May we suggest that you review the August 7th blog post http://carrollgardenspetition.blogspot.com/2009/08/some-more-info-re-contextual-rezoning.html
as well as the proposed zoning map
http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/search?q=contextual+rezoning+map
so that you may review the information in its entirety.

It is important that when we go to the City Planning Commission Public hearing on the 19th, we clearly express our desires. In order to do that, we must all understand what the proposed changes can mean to us. CORD had tried to present an admittedly simplified, but accurate portrait of the zoning proposal.

We again reach out to you, especially those of you who reside on the blocks where the R6A classification is proposed, to email us at, cgcord@gmail.com and tell us how you feel about the rezoning proposal, and how you would like to see your street designated.

The following information is in addition to the August 7th blog post........

It was brought to our attention that we.............


Also did not address that R6A does not permit extra floor area for community facility use. Such floor area allocated for community facility use would be deducted from residential floor area potential. For the R6, on the short end of the block, community facility could occupy the entire ground floor other than what is being used as residential access to the residential floors above. In such a case, the achievable floor area is about the same as what allowed in the R6A district. For the long dimension of the block, the rear 30 feet of the property can not be used for many types of community uses (Examples of exceptions are schools, houses of worship). In such a case R6 would allow about 90% of the floor area what R6A allows. So the question is whether the certainty of 55 feet in maximum height is worth remaining available to more community facility use being incorporated into the neighborhood.

Finally, though R6A permits the height of 70 feet, the question is what height is realistic for properties that would gain additional floor area rights because of the zoning. Is one to two floors added and where is that possible? Or, where would a property build from scratch and given parcel size, does it make more sense (profit) to use up the floor area with as little as 4-5 floors, or up to seven.


Hope to hear from you.

CORD

Friday, August 7, 2009

Some more Info Re: Contextual Rezoning of Carroll Gardens

RE: OUR AUGUST 7TH POST BELOW, ANOTHER CRITICAL CHAPTER IN THE CARROLL GARDENS/COLUMBIA WATERFRONT REZONING

It was pointed out to us that we did not address the possibility of what is known as, "height factor" development permitted under the R6 classification in our last post.

It is true that R6 allows the developer a choice between Quality Housing (something that turns out shorter and squatter) or height factor, which has no real set number of feet limit, rather, insists upon parameters that include a compilation of calculations based on the size of the lot, the fulfillment of open space requirements and by its height alone, necessitates an elevator, which all translates into a reduced amount of living space on the lot---something which can seriously affect the developer's bottom line.

It would technically be possible for a developer to purchase multiple lots, adjacent to one another on an R6 designated street and attempt to build according to height factor regulations. But the chance of acquiring adjacent, multiple properties is slim and the cost quite prohibitive since the properties would probably have to be demolished and completely rebuilt within the parameters of the height factor regulations and their open space requirements.

Perhaps this explains why, with the exception of 100 Luquer Street, which is located off Hamilton Avenue, where the lot sizes are unusual and much larger than the average, normal brownstone lot size, there are no examples of height factor construction in Carroll Gardens.

Another Critical Chapter in the Rezoning of Carroll Gardens/Columbia Waterfront

The City Planning Commission hearing for the Carroll Gardens/Columbia Waterfront rezoning will be held on August 19th at 10 AM at 22 Reade Street, NYC, NY 2nd Floor.

As many of you are aware, the contextual rezoning in the Carroll Gardens area changes most of the current R6 designation to R6B with a portion of the area, for all intents and purposes up-zoned to R6A.

At previous public hearings, some concern was expressed for the portions of First Place, Clinton Street, President Street and Henry Street, where the current plan proposes an R6A classification.

QUICK EXPLANATION:
R6 3.0 FAR* 55 foot height limit
R6B 2.0 FAR 50 foot height limit
R6A 3.0 FAR 70 foot height limit

*FAR = Floor Area Ratio---the number which your square footage of living space is multiplied by in order to come up with the amount of square footage you may increase you living space by. (Please note that there are many, many factors involved in addition to this FAR number when calculating any increases in your building’s size. FAR is only one of those factors, albeit, a very important one.)

We have only three (3) options:
1) accept the proposal as is
2) request that some, most, or all of the proposed R6A areas remain R6, as they are right now
3) reject the plan entirely

Unfortunately, the “Special Planned Community District” designation, as CORD had suggested, was deemed by City Planning as an inviable option at this time.

Looking at the development that took place PRE the wide street text amendment, which allowed for the greater FAR of 3.0 and a seventy (70’) foot height limit, it was on those “wide streets” where almost all of the larger scale development took place.

It is therefore logical to presume, that any “islands” of greater development potential that are created by the R6A rezoning, will draw developers for the greater profitability those islands afford.

City Planning is open to the neighborhoods wishes within the three above options.

This is, admittedly, a very simplified portrait of the contextual rezoning. But, as the City Planning Commission hearing approaches, it is vital that we, especially those who live on those portions of First Place, President Street, Clinton and Henry Streets, those streets where the proposed zoning was questioned, think about what is desired and make those wishes known.

You may view the rezoning map at:

http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/search?q=contextual+rezoning+map

Please feel free to email us your thoughts or ideas on this at cgcord@gmail.com

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