BSA Approves Restaurant Expansion Into Residential Area in Astoria

Approval corrects an erroneously-granted permit in 2011.  On May 19, 2015 the Board of Standards and Appeals voted to grant a special permit to the applicant, 22-32 31st Street LLC, for expanding an existing Use Group 6 restaurant at 22-32 31st Street in Astoria, Queens, into an adjacent residential zoning district..  The restaurant sits on a lot that is partially zoned as C2-4A with the remainder zoned as R5B.  The permit is needed to allow … <Read More>


BSA Denial of Billboard Permit Upheld on Appeal

Court held Board properly found billboards were prohibited near Holland Tunnel exit.  On January 8, 2013 the Board of Standards and Appeals issued two decisions denying an appeal of a Department of Buildings decision to refuse permitting two billboards near the Holland Tunnel exit in Tribeca, Manhattan.  Take Two Outdoor Media LLC, the appellant, argued the Holland Tunnel’s exit roadway did not constitute an “approach” to an arterial roadway under §49-16 of the Rules of … <Read More>


BSA Approves Residential Conversion in NoHo Historic District

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>


BSA Reinstates Construction Permit in Rezoned Area

The Board recognized the applicant’s right to complete construction had vested under the previous zoning scheme.  On March 31, 2015 the Board of Standards and Appeals voted to reinstate a construction permit for the applicant, 1016 East 13th Realty, LLC, to construct a five-story mixed commercial and residential building in Midwood, Brooklyn.  The building site is located at 1016 East 13th Street, and will feature eight dwelling units plus 2,178 square feet of community … <Read More>


BSA Approves Variance for New Residential Apartment Building in Brooklyn

The Board found the subject site, polluted by past automotive use, carried unique hardship.  On March 31, 2015 the Board of Standards and Appeals voted to grant Moshe Packman a variance to facilitate construction of a four-story residential building in Marine Park, Brooklyn.  The proposed building is located at 2881 Nostrand Avenue and will contain nineteen dwelling units covering 21,827 square feet.