Preservation group opposes conversion and remodeling of modernist building. Landmark West, a historic preservation group, seeks to stop the EDC’s sale of the nine-story modernist building at Two Columbus Circle to the Museum of Arts and Design. In February 2005, it lost its first two challenges to the sale, (2 CityLand 28 (Mar. 15, 2005)), when the First Department ruled that the Landmarks Preservation Commission was under no obligation to hold a public hearing on … <Read More>
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Developer fails to beat down-zoning deadline
Area rezoned minutes before applicant obtained a new building permit. BSA denied applications to renew a new building permit and extend the time to complete the foundation for a proposed building at 3329 Giles Place in Van Cortlandt Village, the Bronx. After the City Council approved the down-zoning of a 15-block area of Van Cortlandt Village on September 28, 2004, (1 CityLand 4 (Oct. 15, 2004)), Buildings issued a stop-work order to GRA V LLC, … <Read More>
Plaza’s interiors designated; renovations approved
$350 million restoration to include re-creation of the Palm Court’s original 1907 laylight. On July 12, 2005, Landmarks voted to designate eight interior rooms in the Plaza Hotel; the Palm Court, the Grand Ballroom, the Terrace and Edwardian Rooms, the Oak Room and Oak Bar, and the 59th Street and Fifth Avenue lobbies. The Plaza’s exterior had been designated in 1969.
Landmarks calendared the interior rooms’ designation after the Plaza’s new owners, Elad Properties, filed … <Read More>
Permit grandfathered over community’s objections
Community claims developer poured foundation after effective date of rezoning. On June 7, 2005, BSA granted a permit extension, allowing work to continue on the development of a single-family home located at 102 Greaves Avenue in Great Kills, Staten Island that did not comply with the zoning requirements set by a Staten Island 2004 down-zoning. 1 CityLand 4 (Oct. 15, 2004). Work on the single-family home was required to stop on August 12, 2004, and … <Read More>
BSA approves large home in natural area district
Undersized Staten Island lot can be developed if trees replanted. Owners of an undersized, 9,733 sq.ft. Staten Island lot at 380 Lighthouse Avenue sought to construct a single-family home that required variance approvals because of the small lot size and because the proposed home failed to meet rear or side-yard requirements.
The lot fell within the Special Natural Area District, a 1974 zoning control passed by the City to protect existing topography, trees, plantings and … <Read More>
City provides alternative sites for Bronx Gardeners
Settlement came after gardeners filed Article 78 petition. As reported in the November issue of CityLand, the City Council’s October 13, 2004 approval of the Courtlandt Avenue Apartments, a 167-unit, affordable housing development slated for Melrose Commons, would result in the demolition of several Bronx community gardens. The development site, comprising 16 lots, occupies most of the block between East 158th and East 159th Streets, and Park and Courtlandt Avenues.
On November 23, 2004, gardeners … <Read More>