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Monday, November 30, 2020

STOP OVERDEVELOPMENT by PARK CIRCLE

 


Update, Monday, December 7th: At today's remote hearing, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises unanimously voted in favor of the rezoning application. The Land Use Committee will vote on Wednesday, December 9th.

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Update, Friday, December 4th: The rally has been scheduled for noon on Sunday, December 6th, because of the possibility of rain on Saturday, December 5th.
 
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Rally to Stop Overdevelopment by Park Circle
Saturday, December 5th, noon
Rain Date: Sunday, December 6th, noon

Protest the rezoning of 312 Coney Island Avenue from a C8-2 District to an R8A District and establishing within the proposed R8A District a C2-4 District. This change would allow the building of thirteen-story luxury towers on the present site of the International Baptist Church (Ocean Parkway, Caton Place, and Coney Island Avenue at Machate Circle-Park Circle).
 
From the Stable Brooklyn community group:
This rally is in response to a ULURP [Uniform Land Use Review Procedure] filed by the developer, JEMB, which has a rental agreement with the International Baptist Church.
 
Our little part of Windsor Terrace/Kensington has been subject to spot zoning, resulting in the development of luxury housing in a once thriving, integrated working class neighborhood. Many of us have been priced out of other neighborhoods. The children we raised can no longer afford to live here.
 
57 Caton Avenue (next door to 312 Coney Island Avenue) has recently been rezoned and will be developed soon, adding even more luxury housing to the neighborhood.
 
Some of us who live near the site have been testifying: at an initial Community Board 7 meeting, the Borough President’s hearing, the City Planning Commission hearing, and the City Council Land Use Committee. We have gotten to know each other and banded together because all of us agree:

 

  • The development is out of context with our neighborhood.
  • It can only make matters worse for traffic at Park Circle.
  • The sheer wall will act as an echo chamber for our neighbors in the apartments at 10, 20, and 30 Ocean Parkway who already suffer from rush-hour horns and heavy traffic from Park Circle.
  • It will cast a shadow on the Ocean Parkway bike path entry to Prospect Park.
  • It could be an environmental nightmare for Prospect Park animals and plant life (noise and light pollution, shadows).
  • It does nothing to solve the housing crisis in our city.
  • It monetizes views of Prospect Park.
 
The rally will be held at 10 Ocean Parkway. (map)

For additional information, see the Windsor Terrace-Kensington Community Voice page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/184348329485099.
 
Previous blog posts:


Thursday, November 26, 2020

INSTALLING CITI BIKE STATIONS IN COMMUNITY BOARD 7

 
Installation of Citi Bike Stations in Community Board 7
Monday, December 7th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
 
Installation of Citi Bike stations within the boundaries of Community Board 7 will be the subject of the New York City Department of Transportation's presentation to Community Board 7's next Transportation Committee meeting.
 
The meeting will be be held via Zoom on Monday, December 7th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
 
The public is invited to register for the webinar in advance by clicking on this link:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9d2dnY-HSv2cSZzmch7cSQ
 
After you register, you'll be sent a confirmation e-mail that contain information about how to join the webinar.
 
Offer your suggestions for where to locate Citi Bike stations on the DOT feedback map at https://nycdotprojects.info/project-feedback-map/suggest-station-infill
 

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

OCEAN PARKWAY: NEIGHBORS WILL CLEAN UP AN OCEAN PARKWAY BLOCK

 

 
Ocean Parkway Street Cleanup

When:
Saturday, November 28th — 10:00 a.m. to noon

Where:
Ocean Parkway, between Avenue C and Cortelyou Road
(on the east side of Ocean Parkway
in the Yellow Zone, in front of the odd-numbered buildings)

Let's pick up some trash and help beautify our block.
 
Grabbers, rakes, gloves, and garbage bags will be provided.
 
Invite your friends and neighbors and bring your kids.

Wear A Mask.
Maintain Social Distancing.

Wear Warm Clothes.

Interested in joining and/or coordinating future events?
Follow these Facebook groups:
Ocean Parkway Cleanup
The Kensington Stewards

 
This announcement was submitted by The Kensington Stewards.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

PARKING REGULATIONS SUSPENDED FOR THANKSGIVING

 

This Thursday, November 26th, for Thanksgiving,
  • alternate side of the street parking regulations will be suspended,
  • stopping, standing, and parking will be permitted, except in areas where stopping, standing, and parking rules are in effect seven days a week (e.g., “No Standing Anytime”).
  • Parking meter regulations will be suspended.

Thanksgiving is a major legal holiday. The major legal holidays are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

On major legal holidays, stopping, standing, and parking are permitted except in areas where stopping, standing and parking rules are in effect seven days a week (e.g., “No Standing Anytime”).
 
Parking meter regulations are also suspended on major legal holidays.
 
On all other holidays, only street cleaning rules are suspended, and other regulations remain in effect.


Monday, November 23, 2020

AGENDA FOR TOMORROW'S ONLINE PUBLIC MEETING OF COMMUNITY BOARD 12 (FREE)

 
Community Board 12 Online Public Meeting
Tuesday, November 24th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Community Board 12's monthly public meeting will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, November 24th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Click this link to join the meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99250135496.
 
Community Board 12 covers most of Kensington, Borough Park, and part of Midwood.

Two of the items on the agenda are as follows:

1) The Board will vote on a rezoning application that seeks to rezone 5802, 5804, 5806, 5808, 5822 16th Avenue; and 1566, 1572, 1574 58th Street; and 1571 59th Street, from R5 and R5/C2-2 zoning districts to C4-4A and R5 zoning districts. Lots 36, 49 and parts of Lots 50 and former Lot 34 would be rezoned from R5/C2-2 to R5. The adjoining street beds, within 100 feet of 16th Avenue to the center lines of 58th and 59th Streets and 16th Avenue would be rezoned from an R5 district to a C4-4A district. This would include a small portion of Block 5509, Lot 41 which extends into the intersection of 59th Street and 16th Avenue. The proposed zoning map amendment will facilitate the development of a five-story commercial office building with a total floor area of approximately 15,945 zoning square feet (3.99 FAR) to be constructed at 5802, 5804, and 5806 16th Avenue.
  
2)  A vote by the Board on its FY22 District Needs Capital & Expense Budget Requests.
 
If you have any concerns, questions, solutions, needs, or problems that you'd like the community board to address, sign up to speak during the public session by clicking this link and filling out the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSco1v1Puh042lQ69uHJ_lKGC1-DaWqXOiLe_aFLvLQobdCfbw/viewform.

If you would like to call in to the meeting, call any of the numbers listed below and then enter the Webinar ID, which is 992 5013 5496
 
If you are calling in, please tell them beforehand the number that you'll be using so they can properly identify you. And call in at least five to ten minutes before the meeting starts.
 
Call one of these numbers:
  • (646) 558-8656
  • (301) 715-8592
  • (312) 626-6799
  • (346) 248-7799
  • (669) 900-9128
  • (253) 215-8782


Sunday, November 22, 2020

ONLINE FUND RAISER FOR COMPOST DROP-OFF FOR THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD


From the East 4th Street Community Garden:
Everyone should be able to compost their household food scraps. But with the end of NYC Sanitation's compost pick-up, where can people turn? 
The East 4th Street Community Garden is stepping up to be a composting oasis for the whole community. But the Garden needs your support. And thanks to NYC Partnership for Parks and IOBY.org, every dollar you donate will be matched 1:1 during this Composting For All Campaign

Your tax-deductible donation, which can be made here, will allow us to respond to the community's composting needs. By raising $2,500, which will be matched dollar for dollar thanks to the Partnerships for Parks and IOBY.org, we will rebuild and expand our composting area by creating attractive, durable bins and bays to replace our aging, overloaded system. You can see more on our Composting For All webpage. 
We estimate that we have at least 150 composters stopping by on at least a biweekly basis and interest grows by the month. At current rates we estimate we will compost over 3 tons of material annually. 
Won’t you show your support with a recommended donation of $25? Of course, we welcome gifts of any size to meet the matching challenge.

Friday, November 20, 2020

HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP

 
 
Support small and local businesses and makers by purchasing gifts from them for the holidays. ​The YogaSole Holiday Pop-up Shop will offer work by local makers, artists, and crafters, including many from Kensington and Windsor Terrace.
 
Products are eco-friendly, sustainable, and ethically made. ​
 
The Pop-up Shop will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from November 21st through December 20th.
 
Handmade and unique masks, clothing, jewelry, bags, art, skincare products, yoga props, and more will be featured. 
 
Gift wrapping will be available.
 
If you have any questions or if you know anyone who would like to sell items at the shop, send an e-mail to Info@yogasole.com.

 
Location
YogaSole
254 Windsor Place
at the corner of 11th Avenue
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

COVID-19 TEST AT ALBEMARLE PLAYGROUND

 

COVID-19 Mobile Testing Site
Saturday, November 21st, and Sunday, November 22nd, 
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A mobile testing site will perform the standard PCR diagnostic test for COVID-19 at Albemarle Playground this weekend. The rapid test won't be offered.
 
The playground is located at Dahill and Albemarle roads in Kensington, Brooklyn. Testing will be done on Saturday, November 21st, and Sunday, November 22nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
An appointment is not needed. A referral is not needed. The test is available to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or their immigration status.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

DONATING HOLIDAY GIFTS TO THE CLIENTS AT THE KENSINGTON FAMILY SHELTER

 

 
From Tracy and Catherine, our neighborhood's volunteer liaisons to The Kensington Family Shelter
Hello neighbors:

2020 is almost done—and good riddance! We hope you have weathered everything in good health and that better times are ahead.

Because of the pandemic, the shelter has not been accepting donations or scheduling events since the spring, but they have asked us to put together our annual holiday gift drive and they are organizing a socially distanced celebration to distribute the presents.

As in past years, we have two drives: one for the kids and one for the adults.

We work with shelter staff to select gifts for each child that are appropriate to their age, the space, and other considerations, at a range of price points. Everything is on this Amazon wish list, and the shelter address is the default shipping address.

We know that many people want to support struggling local businesses this year so if you would like to purchase an item from the list at another business and drop off or ship to the shelter, feel free! Please just mark the item as purchased on the list so we don’t get doubles.

In the past we have organized a wonderful gift-wrapping event that will not be possible this year. If you are able to select the gift wrap option when ordering, that would be amazing. Otherwise, shelter staff will be putting anything unwrapped in gift bags (which are also on the wish list, along with batteries, if you don't feel like browsing hundreds of toys!)

We don’t want to forget the parents at the shelter and will be collecting new perfume, cologne, and body care gift sets. You can buy one or more of your choice anywhere and drop off or mail to the shelter, and we have also added some items to a separate Amazon wish list for convenience.

We know the pandemic has caused financial strain for many people and so we understand if you are unable to donate a gift this year. Please feel free to post our wish lists on your social media so we can make this year’s drive as big a success as in the past—and thank you in advance for whatever support you can provide.



Shelter address: The Kensington Gift Drive / Attn: Uniquia / 385 McDonald Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11218

We wish you very happy and healthy holidays and will keep you apprised of any donation or volunteer opportunities down the road. Mask up and stay safe!

Love,
Tracy and Catherine
 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

GUIDED MOVEMENT CLASS ONLINE: A BENEFIT FOR KENSINGTON-WINDSOR TERRACE MUTUAL AID

 

 
Emergent Improvisation Class Online
Sunday, November 29th, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

A guided movement class to benefit Kensington-Windsor Terrace Mutual Aid: Neighbors Supporting Neighbors in Brooklyn, New York, will be offered online on Sunday, November 29th, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
"Community Emergent Improvisation // Kensington-Windsor Terrace Mutual Aid is a donation-based guided movement class. This class invites your individual imagination and instinct into each moment.
 
By activating your innate curiosity, playfulness, bravery, and creativity, we are able to strengthen the communication, the webbing, between our thoughts and our bodies. The movement prompts are simple--sometimes meditative, sometimes groovy--and always with an eye towards relief and enjoyment of our physical bodies.
 
Please wear clothing that you can move around in."

The suggested donation for this fund raiser for KWT Mutual Aid is $15-$20. You can donate at https://www.kwtmutualaid.com/donate. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of your ability to pay.

Troy Ogilvie (she/her) lives in Windsor Terrace (Lenape/Canarsie lands) and is a choreographer-director-performer-teacher. She teaches Emergent Improvisation nationally and internationally and loves to birdwatch in Green-Wood Cemetery. For more information, see www.troyogilvie.com or @troyanosaurus.

**Watch the Facebook page at 
for the class Zoom link on Sunday, November 29th.**
 
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About KWT Mutual Aid
Launched on March 19th, 2020, KWT Mutual Aid is a volunteer organization created by neighbors for neighbors, with the objective of helping our community cope with the physical, mental, emotional, and economic hardships created by the COVID-19 crisis.

The idea is simple: showing solidarity through our actions. Neighbors helping neighbors by pooling resources and supporting each others' needs.

Our neighborhoods include immigrant communities that are often denied financial support from the city, state, and federal government, neighbors who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and those living in vulnerable situations.

KWT Mutual Aid partners with local groups, organizations, and volunteers to meet needs, from grocery shopping and delivery, to prescription pick-ups, well-being phone check-ins, support and guidance accessing government benefits, and providing emergency funds.
 

66TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL ONLINE MEETING

 


66th Precinct Community Council
Thursday, November 19th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
The 66th Precinct Community Council will hold its monthly public meeting online this Thursday, November 19th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
The meeting is free, and it's open to the public.
 
Join the Zoom meeting by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86154939179?pwd=WlhROGJKVUxwUlJjZ2wwY0E4RkF3dz09.
 
Meeting ID: 861 5493 9179
Passcode: 434319
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,86154939179#,,,,,,0#,,434319# US (New York)
+13126266799,,86154939179#,,,,,,0#,,434319# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 861 5493 9179
Passcode: 434319
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcOcwV1jRd

At the meeting, you can report crimes in Kensington, Borough Park, and Midwood as well as any other policing matters that are on your mind.

The 66th Precinct's commanding officer, Deputy Inspector James King, will update residents on recent crimes in those neighborhoods, but the input of people who live within the boundaries of the precinct is essential.

The purpose of the 66th Precinct Community Council is to provide the critical interface between citizens and police through regular monthly meetings. Meetings are normally held monthly from September through June.

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Contact information for the 66th Precinct:
phone: (718) 851-5611
5822 16th Avenue
between 58th and 59th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn
e-mail: 66precinctcc @ gmail.com
website: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/66th-precinct.page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPD66Pct or @66precinctcc

Monday, November 16, 2020

AGENDA FOR COMMUNITY BOARD 7 (WINDSOR TERRACE, SUNSET PARK) ONLINE PUBLIC MEETING THIS WEEK

 

Community Board 7 Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 18th, 6:00 p.m.
 
Community Board 7 will hold a Zoom webinar for its monthly public meeting on Wednesday, November 18th, at 6:00 p.m.
 
Register in advance for the webinar at
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gFXecVHJSpuzNSb8PmBFsg.

After registering, you'll receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the webinar.

The following is the proposed agenda:

1.    Opening of the meeting 

2.    Adoption of the agenda 

3.    Adoption of the minutes of the October 21, 2020 board meeting 

4.    Adoption of the minutes of the November 12, 2020 public hearing 

5.    Public Comment 

6.    Committee Reports: 

A)  Transportation Committee (No vote required) 

  1. Update on 3rd Avenue Greenway (Gowanus Connector) 
  2. Update on Owl’s Head Connector (2nd Avenue) 

B)   Immigration Committee (No vote required) 

  1. Prevailing wage workshop presented by the New York City Comptroller’s Office 
  2. “Know Your Rights” immigrant business owners presentation from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs 

C)   Economic Development-Waterfront Committee 

  1. NYCEDC Presentation on Made in New York South Campus Project at Bush Terminal

D)  Land Use/Landmarks Committee (Vote required) 

  1. ULURP Application #200029ZMK & #N200030ZRK - The applicant, 737 4th Avenue LLC, seeks a zoning map amendment that would affect a portion of Brooklyn Block 652 in the Greenwood Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn Community District (CD) 7 to establish the proposed rezoning area as Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) area subject to the affordability requirements of Option 1 of the MIH program. The proposed zoning map amendment would change the zoning of the Project Area from M1-1D to R8A. In addition, a C2-4 commercial overlay would be mapped to a depth of 100 feet along the southwest side of Fourth Avenue between 24th & 25th Streets 

E)   Education/Youth Committee (No vote required) 

  1. Discussion on infrastructure and technological issues at the local schools  

7.    Elected Officials/Representatives 

8.    District Manager’s Report 

9.    Chairperson’s Report 

10. Old Business 

11. New Business 

12. Adjournment

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Community Board 7 Office 
4201 4th Avenue (entrance on 43rd Street) (map)
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Accessible via the B35 bus, or the B16 bus to the B11, or the F train to the R 
phone: (718) 854-0003
fax: (718) 436-1142
bk07 @ cb.nyc.gov
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb7/index.page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Community-Board-7/195263140637225

https://twitter.com/bkcb7
https://www.instagram.com/brooklyncb7

Saturday, November 14, 2020

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE SPONSORED BY PEOPLE IN NEED

 


Thanksgiving Food Drive
Wednesday, November 18th, through Saturday, November 21st
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
People in Need (PIN), a nonprofit local grassroots organization, distributes boxes of food to local low-income families, feeding an average of 300 families per week. During its Thanksgiving Food Drive, it will be accepting donations of canned food and other non-perishable items at Jalsa Grill & Gravy Restaurant on Coney Island Avenue.
 
To donate turkey and other food that needs to be chilled or frozen, send an e-mail to PIN at peopleinneednyc @ gmail.com.

The food boxes will be distributed on Monday, November 23rd, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 944 Newkirk Avenue, between Coney Island Avenue and E. 8th Street.

Food Dropoff Location
Jalsa Grill & Gravy Restaurant
964 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn
between Webster and Newkirk avenues
(map)
(201) 878-4332
peopleinneednyc @ gmail.com

Mission of People in Need
Our mission is to assist low-income families that speak a variety of languages to reach their full potential as residents of New York City. We aim to empower the community, especially women, to advocate for their rights and understand their responsibilities as Americans and to help immigrant children with homework and personality development through various after school programs. Lastly, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been helping the community get through emergencies.
 

Friday, November 13, 2020

GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY'S ONLINE EVENTS

 


Green-Wood Cemetery is continuing to offer events online via Zoom during the pandemic.

The online events for the rest of November are

"The Death Cafe is inspired by the centuries-old European salon (or cafe), an informal gathering to discuss philosophical, political or scientific ideas."
Free

"Among Green-Wood’s permanent residents are over 400 of some of the most acclaimed painters of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries."
$5 for members, $9 for non-members

"Green-Wood isn’t wanting for extraordinary and monumental tombs, but many of its most remarkable residents lay buried under unmarked, modest, or sunken stones. Learn about some of Green-Wood’s lesser-known—but equally fascinating—monuments."
$5 for members, $9 for non-members
 
Green-Wood Cemetery, founded in 1838, is the second largest cemetery in the United States, having 478 acres; only Arlington Cemetery is larger. The Green-Wood Historic Fund is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
 

Thursday, November 12, 2020

PARKING CHANGE FOR DIWALI

 


Alternate side of the street parking (street cleaning) regulations will be suspended on Saturday, November 14th, for Diwali.

All other parking regulations, including those for parking meters, will remain in effect.
 
Parking meter regulations are only suspended on these major legal holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.


Wednesday, November 11, 2020

FREE TURKEYS AT A FOOD PANTRY IN KENSINGTON

 

Turkey Giveaway
Saturday, November 21st, 11:00 a.m.
 
The Annual Turkey Distribution Day at Goke Food Pantry will take place on Saturday, November 21st, starting at 11:00 a.m. and ending when they don't have any more turkeys to give away. Turkeys will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Goke Food Pantry operates out of Christ Apostolic Church.

Location
Goke Food Pantry
622 Cortelyou Road
between Ocean Parkway and E. 7th Street
Kensington, Brooklyn 
admin@gokefoodpantry.org
(718) 284-7479

Monday, November 9, 2020

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING SUSPENDED THIS WEDNESDAY

 

Alternate side of the street parking (street cleaning) regulations will be suspended on Wednesday, November 11th, for Veterans Day.

All other parking regulations, including those for parking meters, will remain in effect.
 
Parking meter regulations are only suspended on these major legal holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Sunday, November 8, 2020

72ND PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER PUBLIC MEETING

Captain Ernesto Castro

72nd Precinct Community Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 10th, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
The 72nd Precinct Community Council will meet on Tuesday, November 10th, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Residents and workers in Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Sunset Park are invited to attend.
 
Captain Ernesto Castro, the Commanding Officer, who was appointed to the 72nd Precinct earlier this year, will be at the meeting, along with the Neighborhood Coordination Officers. They'll be discussing the types of crime that have been taking place, their frequency, why they happen, and what the police and the public can do to try to prevent them.

 Meetings of the 72nd Precinct Community Council typically take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. To sign up to receive e-mail announcements of 72nd Precinct Community Council meetings, send an e-mail to its President, Tina Ponce, at tinaponce76@gmail.com or call her at (570) 540-5016.

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Precinct Information
72nd Precinct
830 4th Avenue
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 965-6311
Facebook, 72nd Precinct: https://www.facebook.com/NYPD72pct/