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Save the Trees
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The Ratner Proposal
Save the Trees!!!
September 15, 2008
 
Recently a neighbor saw a beautiful tree being cut down by a contractor at the corner of Pacific Street and 5th Avenue. When she asked the contractor why, he said the NYC Parks department had issued a permit for the removal of 85 trees by Forest City Ratner! This is an enormous number, and frankly more trees than are present in the footprint. (See Tree Inventory here)
 
This action is terribly premature. While the project has been approved by the PACB, none of the streets have been transferred to the ESDC, who is reported to have ordered the Parks Department to issue the permits. Construction cannot begin until April, 2009 at the earliest, so why remove the trees? Why blight the neighborhood? Who, except FCR benefits? And why the secrecy?
 
TAKE ACTION!!!
 
Please join your neighbors in holding the Parks Department accountable by formally requesting to see the permits. The more voices they hear the more the city will realize how the public feels about secret agreements!
 
1. In your email program, open a new message
3. In the Subject line enter "FOIL Request"
4. Copy and paste the text below into the body of the message. Be sure to enter your name, address and telephone number as indicated.
5. (Optional) You can click on Mail Options and request a Delivery Receipt and/or Read Receipt
6. Send the email and let CBN know that you have by emailing us at cbrooklynneighborhoods@hotmail.com
 

Dear Ms. Kleitman;

I am writing to request copies of records pursuant to Article 6 of the Public Officers Law ("FOIL," Public Officers Law §87 et. seq.) which are currently in the possession of the New York City Parks Department.  The requested records are as follows:

  • A copy of any and all permits granted by the New York City Parks Department within the last 4 years (2004-2008) for the removal of trees from the area of Brooklyn surrounding the proposed Atlantic Yards Development.

    • This area may be assumed to be contained within a radius of ¾ mile from the intersection of
      Sixth Avenue
      and
      Pacific Street
      in Brooklyn.

    • If there exist permits or requests for tree removal related to the Atlantic Yards Development Project that are located beyond this radius, they are also requested.

  • A copy of any and all permits, documents, memoranda, and communications in regarding any permits for the removal of 85 trees from the area of Brooklyn surrounding the Atlantic Yards Development project.

I agree to pay any standard fee for the duplication of the records requested. If the fee exceeds $25, please contact me before duplicating the records.

Since the Freedom of Information Law requires that an agency respond to a request within five business days of receipt of a request, I would appreciate a response as soon as possible and look forward to hearing from the appropriate officer shortly.

 

Thank you very much for your help in expediting this request.

Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number

 
For more information on the Freedom of Information Law, click here