Posted by & filed under Committee Meetings, Frontpage, Land Use.

The Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group’s Land Use Committee met on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at the offices of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, at 543 Union Street.

CAG Members present:

Katia Kelly
Hildegaard Link
Andrea Parker
Peter Reich
Sue Wolfe
Maryann Young
Susan Yung

Guests:

Terri Thompson, National Grid

Item 1

Discussed CAG comments on EIS Scoping for rezoning, and reviewed draft notes for comments prepared by Andrea.

  • Need to pass CAG comments at April 23 CAG meeting in order to present at April 25 EIS scoping hearing.
  • Andrea suggested that CAG comments on scoping should focus on specific impacts to the Superfund remedy, including CSOs and contaminant migration.
  • Katia suggested drawing additional comments from specific CAG resolutions that have been passed, including:
    • Public Place Marine Bollards, January 2019
    • SW Bowne Protection, January 2019
    • Safe Egress, October 2018
    • 1st Street Turning Basin, October 2016
    • Marine Habitat at the Head of Canal and Marine Life, June 2016
    • Ecological Restoration, May 2012
  • Hildegaard suggested directing these comments to DCP Waterfront Director Michael Marrella, and inviting him to a CAG meeting.
  • Terri noted that the most consensus ever seen at a CAG meeting was on March 26, when members were united over CSOs.
  • All agreed that scoping comments should be split into two – one specific to Superfund impacts, and the other covering previous pertinent resolutions above.

Item 2

Discussed DEP/DCP presentation to CAG on March 26.

  • All agreed that presentation by agencies showed an unacceptable lack of coordination
  • Further discussion of need to have all agencies in the same room to discuss impacts of rezoning proposal, and that CB6 should convene this.
  • Discussion of need to ensure that DEP and DCP are meeting regularly, and have a plan to manage compliance with ROD requirement that “redevelopment projects will need to take mitigation measures to prevent or offset additional sewer loadings.” (ROD p 72)
  • All agreed on drafting letter to DEP, DCP and electeds to express that presentation was unacceptable, and to demand a binding legal agreement with the community to ensure compliance with ROD requirement above and monthly updates on coordinated progress at CAG meetings.

Action to address both items

Andrea to draft 2 resolutions and 2 letters to vote on at April 23 meeting, will circulate by email by April 8, in order to get final draft to full CAG by April 15:

  • Scoping comments regarding potential environmental impacts that would endanger the Superfund remedy, including CSO and contaminant migration. Includes demand for binding legal agreement with community to not allow increase in CSO from additional density, in accordance with the ROD. If passed, CAG representative can read at April 25 scoping hearing.
  • Letter to DEP, DCP, electeds. Includes demand for legal agreement with community to not allow increase in CSO from additional density, in accordance with the ROD, and monthly updates on coordinated progress at CAG meetings.
  • Scoping comments regarding previous pertinent resolutions below. If passed, CAG representative can read at April 25 scoping hearing.
    • Public Place Marine Bollards, January 2019
    • SW Bowne Protection, January 2019
    • Safe Egress, October 2018
    • 1st Street Turning Basin, October 2016
    • Marine Habitat at the Head of Canal and Marine Life, June 2016
    • Ecological Restoration, May 2012
  • Letter to Michael Marella, DCP Waterfront Director, outlining pertinent resolutions above, and inviting him to CAG meeting

Hildegaard to ask CB6 to convene interagency panel, not on behalf of CAG.

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