Licensed family daycare center operated in dwelling with residential C of O. Diversity Learning Center, located on the first floor of a three-story building at 193 Sumpter Street in Brooklyn, has operated for 10 years providing day care and educational services. On December 9, 2014, a Buildings officer determined that the operation of Diversity Learning Center conflicted, the certificate of occupancy for the premises. The officer issued a summons charging the owner, Moses Otote, with violating the New York City Administration Code Section 28-119.3.2, which prohibits any change in occupancy or use inconsistent with that allowed by the issued certification of occupancy. (more…)

Photographer/Mayoral Photography Officer

The building is expected to expand the City’s manufacturing industry and create more middle class jobs. On November 9, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio opened Building 77, one of the central buildings within the Brooklyn Navy Yard Industrial Park. The building and its $185 million renovation is a part of a billion dollar investment financed by Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, the Mayoral City Capital, the City Council, and the Brooklyn Borough President to develop Brooklyn Navy Yard’s 300-acre industrial campus in order to meet the demand and growth of manufacturing and industry in New York. The Yard’s renovation is also a part of the Mayor’s New York Works plan to build 100,000 jobs for the City.

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New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman speaking at New York Law School. Image credit: CityLaw

Schneiderman announces guilty verdict for Brooklyn landlord who harassed rent-stabilized tenants. On June 20, 2017, New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the guilty verdict of Brooklyn landlord Daniel Melamed on three counts of Unlawful Eviction of rent-stabilized tenants. Melamed is scheduled to be sentenced on September 13, 2017 and could face up to one year in jail. (more…)

Proposed Development for 141 Willoughby. Image Credit: Savanna

Subcommittee raised concerns about the aggregate effect the mass development of Downtown Brooklyn will have on school resources. On October 5, 2016, the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises heard testimony on an application to construct a new 49-story mixed-use building at 141 Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn. The site is a triangular-shaped zoning lot bounded by Flatbush Avenue Extension, Willoughby Street and Gold Street. Currently the space is occupied by a three-story private school, the Institute of Design and Construction, an accessory surface parking lot for 16 vehicles, and a public open space with planting and seating areas. (more…)

An example of a residence enlarged pursuant to a BSA-approved application in Brooklyn Community District 10 (original residence shown on the left). Image credit: Brooklyn Community Board 10

The approved proposal would remove Brooklyn Community District 10 from applicability under Section 73-622, while allowing three applications to go forward. On October 5, 2016, the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises heard testimony on an application from Brooklyn Community Board 10 to amend the New York City zoning text relating to special permits issued by the Board of Standards and Appeals. These special permits allow property owners in R2 zoning districts to enlarge family residences beyond what is otherwise prohibited by the Zoning Resolution. Currently, Section 73-622 only applies to four of the fifty-nine Community Districts in New York City. For CityLand’s past coverage on the application, click here and here. (more…)