Democracy was in action in more places than Denver this evening as Carroll Gardens residents voiced their opinions before Community Board 6 regarding “out of scale development” which they have been continuously fighting against for over a year at 360 Smith Street. Residents spoke once again about maintaining the current quality of life (which is what makes CG so desirable) and asking that the scale of the new buildings be sensitive to the historic architectural character of the 19th century brownstones in Carroll Gardens. Favorite quotes from commenters:
“The engineers of the Titanic thought the ship would sail, but THEY WERE WRONG!” from a passionate C.G resident who also worked for the MTA regarding Stein’s trust that a 7 story building with a parking garage is perfectly fine to build on top of a subway station.
And some Oscar Wilde..
“People know the price of everything and the VALUE of NOTHING” regarding the quality of life issues. (At least that was my interpretation.)
Also! C.O.R.D member Triada Samaras spoke and dropped off 500 signed letters against building this structure called “The Oliver” out of scale. The majority of the speakers were against Stein ignoring the recently passed text amendment and building under his previous “AS OF RIGHT” (so obnoxious!) position pre-text amendment change. About 4 people were all for Stein, at least half’s last name was Scotto, go figure! One very pompous, confident fellow dressed in shades of white named Peter Piper or Pauper or something was particularly repulsive in his “AS OF RIGHT” stance. Read fab blog Lost City’s take on this scene!
In the end CB 6 rationally decided that developer Billy Stein shouldn’t continue with his current plan until another hearing takes place in mid-September. Until then…
Yes We Can!!!
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6 comments:
I like your take on things, Miss FIB.
Could the political tides be finally turning even with Bloomberg still in office and threatening a third term?
Hoyt Street Association also got a SWO recently!
God I hope so...don't get me started on stopping term limits, I heard Marty M is all for it too. As far as I'm concerned Bloomberg will remembered in history as the man who destroyed NYC. A protege of Robert Moses....
I hope you have success in your development fight. It is so frustrating to hear the "pro" people's lame reasons for doing what they do.
We had a similar thing in our town a few years ago with over-development...we ended up getting rid of the mayor (who'd been a city operative for over 25 years) and as of June have finally cleansed the city council of all pro-development members. You want to know the ironic thing? Our awesome new "slow-growth" mayor is named Scotto!
Wow what a coincidence although our Scotto's are not awesome...it seems to be a pattern not unique to Brooklyn but what is happening in NYC is the place that the world knows as unique etc. homongenized...chain stores and condos for rich people while the people who are natives who have "regular" jobs are left with nothing and are scared of losing the place they grew up in. Its a sick thing to wish but maybe the economid downturn will slow this bullshit up...
well played - great great blog
newman
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