Rundown of the CB7 General Board Meeting

Staff

Rundown of the CB7 General Board Meeting
An MTA map shows the proposed Interborough Express route linking Brooklyn and Queens, one of the projects discussed at CB7’s April board meeting. Image courtesy of MTA.info

Brooklyn Community Board 7 held its monthly general board meeting on Wednesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m. Here is a rundown of some of the main items discussed.

Transportation

Arthur Rodriguez, chief of staff for Green-Wood Cemetery, requested a letter of support from CB7 to be sent to the Brooklyn borough president and the Brooklyn delegation of councilmembers in support of Green-Wood’s exploration of a greenway along the south side of the cemetery. The greenway would run along 36th and 37th streets from Fifth Avenue to Fort Hamilton Parkway and would serve pedestrians and cyclists.

There was confusion and debate regarding what exactly was being supported. Julio Peña III, chairperson of the board, clarified that the letter only expressed tentative enthusiasm for the exploration of building a greenway. The study and design phase was estimated to cost $3.3 million and would help clarify what impacts the greenway could have on the surrounding area.

One issue discussed was the possible removal of parking used by MTA employees working at the depot across the street. About 150 spaces could be affected. The motion passed to support the letter with 31 votes in favor.

Speaking about the Interborough Express, or IBX, Transportation Committee Chair Katie Walsh said the environmental review has begun on the project and that there will be a series of upcoming informational workshops and public input opportunities beginning April 28.

Land Use

Land Use & Landmarks Committee Chair Diana Gonzalez said the committee had requested a shadow study, a water mitigation study and information on parking spots from the developers of the St. Rocco’s development proposal.

The proposed development includes three residential buildings ranging from eight to 13 stories on 27th and 28th streets between Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue.

Board member Antoinette Martinez noted that changes in the developers’ plans reduced the number of affordable units and that the majority of them were studios and one-bedrooms.

Education, Health and Human Services

Education, Health & Human Services Committee Vice Chair Rosy Mota reported on the merger of Maimonides with NYC Health + Hospitals. The merger has faced delays amid pushback from parts of the Orthodox community and a November lawsuit filed by some members of the Maimonides board of trustees.

Parks and Environment

Parks & Environment Committee Chair Diana Aguilar and Vice Chair Esteban Chavez reported on a program from NYC Parks that will begin in spring 2027 to improve street tree care. Under the program, NYC Parks will survey every street tree on each block in the city every three years to determine whether a tree bed needs to be expanded, whether a dead tree needs to be removed or whether a new tree needs to be planted.

Old Business

Job listings seeking a new district manager for CB7 have been posted and will remain up until May 8. This comes after the retirement of Jeremy Laufer, who served the board for 25 years.

Community Board 7’s regular board meetings are generally held on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. That means the next meeting is expected to take place on Wednesday, May 20.