Board found a hardship caused by the site’s irregular shape. On April 14, 2015 the Board of Standards and Appeals granted 31 BSP LLC a variance to permit converting an existing six-story mixed-use noncomplying building at 31 Bond Street in the NoHo Historic District of Manhattan into a seven-story Use Group 2 residential building. The proposal will remove a backshaft from the rear of the existing building, vacant since 2010, and redistribute floor area to … <Read More>
BSA Allows Use Conversion for New Queens Commercial Building
Board noted the conversion would reduce the impact of non-conforming use on the neighborhood. On April 14, 2015 the Board of Standards and Appeals voted to grant 221-16 Merrick Blvd. Associates LLC a special permit to change an existing commercial building at 221-18 Merrick Boulevard in Queens to Use Group 6 retail in conjunction with redeveloping the Merrick Flea Market area. The proposal would reduce the size of the subject building from 10,600 to 8,176 … <Read More>
Zoning Subcommittee Approves West Chelsea Zoning Text Amendment
Amendment allows the transfer of residential floor area from the High Line subdistrict. On May 19, 2015 the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises approved an amendment to the Special West Chelsea District zoning text to allow a transfer of residential floor area from the High Line Transfer Corridor subdistrict. The applicant, 22-23 Corp c/o Park It Management, sought the amendment to allow transfer residential floor area from its property at 510-512 West 23rd … <Read More>
City Planning Approves Conversion of Historic District Building
Permit would allow vacant commercial building to convert into a single-family residence. On May 6, 2015 the City Planning Commission approved a special permit for Tower Management Holdings LLC to convert a vacant commercial building at 20-22 East 71st Street in the Upper East Side Historic District of Manhattan into a single-family residence. The building was constructed as a single-family five-story townhouse in 1923, but was used as commercial offices from 1986 until 2007. The … <Read More>
Pratt Center Study Outlines Solutions for Industrial Rezoning
Study discusses solutions for achieving the expansion of affordable housing without sacrificing high-paying industrial jobs. On May 8, 2015 the Pratt Center for Community Development released a study, “Making Room for Housing and Jobs”. The study analyzed the relationship between land use policies and the declining trend of industrial expansion across the city. The study also discussed the possible consequences of the Administration’s plans to add additional mixed-use districts which they hope … <Read More>
Appellate Court Upholds BSA Decision on Illegal Penthouse
Board was not acting arbitrarily by requiring LPC approval of construction permit for addition to a historic district building. On February 12, 2013, the Board of Standards and Appeals found they could not reinstate a Department of Buildings construction permit for Petitioner, 339 West 29th Street LLC without prior approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The Board found the permit was revoked in July 2009, and in October 2009 the area containing the work … <Read More>