By Michèle De Meglio
A plan to build an all-boys’ school in Flatbush is moving ahead. Members of Community Board 14 voted in support of a request made by the Rachmistrivka congregation of Borough Park to construct the building at 50 Lawrence Avenue as long as a few conditions are met. When representatives for the congregation offered project details while applying for a zoning variance at the board’s recent public hearing, CB 14 members took issue with several aspects of the plan that they said would hinder their quality of life. But “to our delight,” explained board Chair Alvin Berk, the reps “were immediately able to agree to the stipulations.” They include, “the facility not be used as a catering facility,” Berk said. But most importantly, yellow school buses must pick up and drop off students on McDonald Avenue and not Lawrence Avenue. Residents say that’s necessary because Lawrence Avenue is already congested and the presence of school buses would slow down or even stop traffic, as cars must stop when buses are loading or unloading passengers. “There was great concern expressed by neighbors” about how the school would impact traffic, Berk said. Lawrence Avenue “is a narrow highly congested street,” he added. So, “we were delighted that they agreed to all these stipulations.” The congregation says it needs the additional classroom space because demand for its existing education programs is so high that students are learning in overcrowded classrooms. With the new building, the congregation would leave its current home at 1460 56th Street and take up residence at the Lawrence Avenue site, which is now occupied by a vacant single-story manufacturing facility. The school would be six stories, cover 43,200 square feet, and maintain 30 classrooms. About 300 students are expected to attend the school. The board’s approval of the project was nearly unanimous. There was one vote of no and four abstentions. However, the board was less willing to support a request for a zoning variance to construct a three-story building at 1739 Ocean Avenue. Members opposed a plan to construct the 10,000-square-foot building, which would maintain a day-care facility and synagogue. To support their position, CB 14 members cited concerns about traffic, parking, and the proposed height of the building, which some said was not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. With the exception of three abstentions, all board members present at the general meeting voted against the project.
