Richard Lobel testifies before the Board of Standards and Appeals. Image credit: BSA

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 construct a new seventh story with a 1,500 square-foot penthouse.

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Todd Dale speaks before the Board of Standards and Appeals. Image credit: BSA

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 square feet and replace the existing auto supply stores with retail shops.

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Eric Palatnik testifies before the Board of Standards and Appeals. Image credit: BSA

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 facility floor area.

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Marvin Mitzner argues before the Board of Standards and Appeals. Image credit: BSA

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.

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Eric Palatnik testifies before the Board of Standards and Appeals. Image credit: BSA

The Board granted the permit after confirming the neighborhood’s character would not be altered. On March 10, 2015 the Board of Standards and Appeals granted a special permit to Athina Orthodoxou to enlarge a non-complying two-story two-family home at 337 99th Street, in an R4-1 zoning district in the Special Bay Ridge District of Brooklyn.  The Special District was established in 2005 to protect Bay Ridge from high-density development.  (See additional CityLand coverage here.)

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