"LICH Act" Passes in Assembly & Statement from Brad Lander

This week saw two more updates in the ongoing LICH closure and development saga.

In the state assembly the "LICH Act" passed on Wednesday. The bill, sponsored by local Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, establishes that prior to approving the closure of a hospital, the Department of Health must ensure the local community's emergency healthcare needs remain well served. The bill now moves on to the state senate, sponsored by local representative Daniel Squadron. Although this legislation cannot impact the development at LICH, it intends to prevent this fiasco of a hospital closure from happening in other communities. For more coverage on the "LICH Act" visit the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Capital New York.

Also on Wednesday, Brad Lander released a statement about the road ahead for the LICH site. You can read the full text on his website here. He lays out his current stance, and offers a summary of what we currently know about the Fortis proposals, including detailed information about the as of right option. The Council Member says he will abide by the community's consensus and support our actions going forward.

LICH Development Survey Results

Dear Cobble Hill Resident,

I want to share with you the results of the online survey that the Cobble Hill Association recently completed to find out how you feel about a number of issues pertaining to the proposed re-development plans for the LICH campus proposed by Fortis at our recent General Meeting.

The survey was just one part of a community ascertainment process that has included block association meetings, two large-scale public meetings and extensive personal outreach to many of you. You will see-- especially in the very moving "Personal Comments" -- just how united and single-minded we are as a community.

While there is no question that change and development is coming to Cobble Hill, it is heartwarming to know just how deeply all of us care and how much we agree on what is important. That unity empowers us to speak with a single, powerful voice.

Thank you,
Roy Sloane, President

If you're interested in volunteering your time to aid the Cobble Hill Association with this ongoing issue please submit a volunteer form accessed below:

Volunteer Sign Up

CUP Presents Zoning 101 Workshop

Join the CHA and the Center for Urban Pedagogy for the Zoning 101 Workshop. The city's convoluted land use and zoning laws can be a challenge to wrap your head around. Which zones are residential or commercial? Why are there height limits in certain areas but not others? These questions are especially important given Fortis' recent proposals for LICH. Attend the workshop to learn the difference between what's allowed as of right, and what's involved in the city's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). The discussion is designed to leave participants with a basic understanding of land use regulations in New York and will not specifically be about LICH or the Fortis proposals.

The workshop will be held at 7:30 PM on Thursday, June 25th at the Cobble Hill Health Center, 380 Henry Street (between Congress and Warren Streets).

Daily Eagle offers analysis on LICH development

The folks at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle have published a very thorough article about this week's community meeting responding to the Fortis proposal for LICH development unveiled at the CHA's general meeting in May. In addition to presenting the 'need-to-know' facts, the article offers some important insights from CHA leaders. Roy Sloane and Jerry Armer warn the community to be wary of the ULURP option.

Sloane said this [as of right] plan was obviously designed to “scare” the community and thus encourage support for Fortis’ “preferred” plan, which would require zoning changes that could only be approved after going through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP).

Jerry Armer, former chairman of Community Board 6, pointed out that Fortis could proceed with ULURP with or without community support. He also said the city could proceed with its own ULURP plan, which would “probably be very similar to what Fortis wants.” 

You can read the full story at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Cobble Hill residents vow to fight Fortis plans for LICH site.

Citibike Expansion to Cobble Hill

In addition to next week's important LICH Development Committee Meeting, please save the date for Thursday's Citibike planning meeting. As the hugely successful program expands outward from it's Manhattan core, it will finally head south of atlantic and offer Cobble Hill residents the chance to enjoy the bike share system. In order for it to truly complement our existing transportation systems though, each station must be properly situated to balance the need for its density with the desire of our local residents. Attend one of the workshops to ensure your voice is heard in this conversation.

Public Meeting of the LICH Development Committee - June 9th

Do high rise towers belong in our low rise historic district?

You’re invited to a public meeting of the Cobble Hill Association’s LICH Development Committee Date: Tuesday, June 9th @ 7:30PM Location: Cobble Hill Health Center 380 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (between Congress and Warren Streets) We need to hear from you about the LICH development scenarios proposed by the Fortis Property Group. The re-development of the former LICH campus will have a profound impact on the Cobble Hill community. It is critical that your voice be heard! All members of the community are welcome.