A local civic group has embarked on a letter writing campaign to show its distaste for a Carroll Gardens private school’s plan to expand into an adjoining courtyard.
The Carroll Gardens Coalition for Respectful Development (CORD) this week dispatched a letter decrying the Hannah Senesh Community Day School’s plan, which at one point sought to amend a city code so that it could build a two-story building on its courtyard, which is currently used as a parking lot. Preservationists have balked at the scheme, saying it flouts the area’s trademark aesthetic, the gardens.
“Such a development would destroy yet another signature, front-garden block in Carroll Gardens, stand kitty corner to one of the very few streets in Carroll Gardens in our historical district, and set a verydangerous precedent for more of the same in our future!” the group said in a statement.
“Granting Hannah Senesh their wish would set a very dangerous precedent for the future of our community in Carroll Gardens, diminishing its appeal and value as a one of a kind historical, front-garden, architectural treasure that can not be found anywhere else in NYC or the USA! We must defend ourselves against initiatives which are not in the best interests or our own neighborhood. We need to stop this now!And, we ask for your help!” the group states.
CORD is urging that petition letters be mailed en masse, and is asking for a meeting with the school, 342 Smith Street, in order to have a “frank and honest discussion” about the institution’s needs.
Amy Glosser, vice president of the school’s board of directors, has said the school is currently in “a holding pattern” and continues to research its proposal.The code amendment request was withdrawn late last year, after community outcry.
—Gary Buiso
