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A ‘narrow’ definition

A ‘narrow’ definition
The Brooklyn Paper / Noelle D’Arrigo

The city will tweak an arcane zoning rule to restrict the scale of new construction on several blocks in Carroll Gardens.

Much of the neighborhood’s heart, famous for deep front yards, would be protected from hulking new buildings by designating the streets as “narrow,” rather than “wide.”

First through Fourth places would be covered by the measure, as would Carroll through Second streets, between Smith and Hoyt streets.

To the naked eye, these roads appear narrow — averaging about 50 feet across, including sidewalks — but the city currently includes the charming gardens in its measurements, which reach the “wide street” threshold of 75 feet. Residents said it was about time that the city changed the rule.

“We’ve said for a long, long time that these blocks should be considered as narrow streets,” said Katia Kelly.

Community Board 6 and Borough President Markowitz are said to be favorably disposed toward the measure, which was pushed by Councilman Bill DeBlasio (D–Park Slope).

Community Board 6’s Landmarks and Land Use committee will review the “narrow street” proposal on April 24 at 6 pm in the board’s HQ (250 Baltic St., between Court and Clinton streets in Cobble Hill). Call (718) 643-3027 for info.