Nuisance claim upheld

Owner of vacant residential lots stored vehicles and construction materials. A Department of Buildings inspector visited four R4-zoned residential lots located on 78th Street between Dumont and South Conduit Avenues in Lindenwood, Queens. The inspector, during three visits, observed stored on the site a large excavator and two commercial trucks, and construction tools and equipment, including a drilling machine, a generator, and large quantities of lumber and pipes. Subsequently, Buildings sought an order to … <Read More>


NOV for low parapet upheld

Repairs to building subject to 1938 Building Code triggered new minimum height requirements. In February, June, and October of 2010, Buildings issued notices of violation to the owner of 331 Columbus Avenue, Manhattan. The issuing officer in each instance observed the same violation of the 2008 Construction Codes: brick parapet walls on the roof were not 42 inches in height.

At a hearing, the owner conceded that the walls in question were less than … <Read More>


Former Bronx Borough President fined $10,000

Adolfo Carrión, Jr. hired architect for private job at same time architect worked on project that Carrión later recommended for approval. Hugo Subotovsky worked as an architect on a Bronx development project known as Boricua Village. Atlantic Development Group LLC was the developer, and Peter Fine, one of Atlantic’s principals, was part of the team seeking City approval for the project through the City’s land use review process. Subotovsky was also part of this … <Read More>


Apartment building owner defeats facade report NOV

Distinction between basement and cellar explained. The Department of Buildings issued Supreme Company LLC a notice of violation for failing to file a required report concerning the periodic inspection of the exterior walls of its building at 1659 York Avenue in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Supreme contested the NOV at a hearing before an ALJ, claiming that it was exempt from the filing requirement since its building did not exceed six stories. Supreme’s architect stated … <Read More>


Bar defeats NOV charging violation of C of O

85 East 4th Street. Image: CityLand.

East Village building’s C of O authorized meeting room, not current bar use. In 1922, the owner of 85 East 4th Street in Manhattan obtained a certificate of occupancy authorizing the building’s second floor to be used as a meeting room. Since 1948 the second floor had instead been used as a tavern space, currently occupied by the KGB Bar. On June 9, 2010, Buildings issued the building’s current … <Read More>


Illegal sign NOV dismissed

329 Wyckoff Avenue Image: CityLand

Building owner unaware that subtenant erected cash loans advertising sign. Buildings issued four notices of violation charging the owner of 329 Wyckoff Avenue in Ridgewood, Queens with illegally erecting an outdoor advertising sign for cash loans. The owner removed the sign from its building immediately after receiving the NOVs. At a hearing, the building’s property manager claimed that the owner had not authorized the sign, and was unaware that the … <Read More>