The Carroll Gardens Neighbor-hood Association (CGNA) held its final meeting before the summer break this week and won’t be back until September.
But don’t look for them at the Mary Star of the Sea Senior Residence at 41 First Street in two months. According to group president Maria Pagano, the CGNA will most likely reconvene inside the Hannah Senesh Community Day School at 342 Smith Street on September 8.
For the last five months the CGNA has held its meetings at the Mary Star of the Sea Senior Residence. Before that the group held its meetings at Buddy Scotto’s Funeral Home at 106 First Place. Their last meeting there was in January.
Ostensibly, Mary Star of the Sea’s meeting room was a better alternative to Scotto’s somber wake room.
The decibel levels at a few contentious meetings covering downzoning did reach uncomfortable levels – especially with grieving families in the next room – but some members also indicated that it was probably a good idea to put some distance between the group and vocal pro-development advocate Buddy Scotto.
Quarters at Mary Star of the Sea were always cramped. The meeting space at Hannah Senesh is reportedly capable of accommodating 300 people.
The CGNA just might need that room if and when the drive to downzone the neighborhood heats up in the fall.
While efforts to pass the “wide street” zoning text amendment” move towards final approval, downzoning advocates say they won’t be taking the summer off from their fight to institute communitywide protections.
Architect John Hatheway told CGNA members on Monday night that he expected to talk to City Planning about the group’s downzoning proposal next week.
While pleased with the support they’ve received for the wide street zoning text amendment so far, advocates complain that the process is taking too long to complete.
The City Planning Commission held a hearing on the item on June 4, and has yet to render its decision. The measure needs ultimate approval from the New York City Council.
