CB3 Wire: Notes From Tonight’s Board Meeting

We’re here at Community Board 3’s last meeting of 2011 with real-time (please contain your excitement) updates throughout the evening:

A community liaison from the District Attorneys office announced a youth basketball program will be coming to the Boys & Girls Republic in January. The facility near Avenue D and East 6th Street is run by Henry Street Settlement. The program is meant to address growing concerns in the neighborhood about youth violence.

A resident is speaking out about noise coming from Chloe 81, the night spot at 81 Ludlow Street (between Delancey and Broome). The man, speaking in Chinese, is also telling CB3 members he’s concerned about the risk of fire in the mixed-use (commercial and residential) building. District Manager Susan Stetzer says she’ll advise the 7th Precinct about the situation and she suggested residents attend the next precinct community council meeting.

Borough President Scott Stringer’s rep. reminds everyone that community board applications are due January 13th. More info here.

Land Use Committee Chair David McWater discusses a resolution in support of the residents of 400 Grand Street, which sits on the Seward Park redevelopment site (SPURA). The resolution calls on the city to relocate the people living in the city-owned building and to give them “first priority” when new residential units are built on the SPURA site.

Lisa Kaplan, formerly Council member Rosie Mendez’ chief of staff, has joined CB3. She was a member for many years before going to work for Mendez.

Board members are discussing a resolution in support of a proposed law allowing temporary public access to stalled construction sites. Harvey Epstein expressed concerns the proposal would make it too easy for property owners to set up makeshift nightlife operations on stalled sites. David McWater agreed that the community would likely not benefit from the temporary use of neighborhood eyesores. Susan Stetzer, CB3’s district manager, Susan Stetzer, suggested the borough president (who is pushing the idea) neglected to properly consult community boards. Stringer’s representative, Alec Schierenbeck, defended the initiative, saying it is designed to address a major problem in the city. No one doubts the large number of stalled construction sites poses major economic development and quality of life issues for the city.