Demolition contractor fined $3,400

Contractor left job but work continued under its expired permit. An officer from Buildings issued B & A Demolition & Removal notices of violation for engaging in demolition work with an expired permit, failing to safeguard the public and property affected by demolition operations, failing to post a required Department of Transportation permit, and failing to provide adequate housekeeping during demolition operations. At a hearing, B & A claimed that it had been fired from … <Read More>


Proposed rezoning of Brighton Beach withdrawn

Planning unable to reach a consensus among wide range of stakeholders. On June 11, 2009, the Department of City Planning withdrew its Brighton Beach rezoning proposal. The proposal covered 54 blocks, including a controversial downzoning of a small area characterized by bungalow-style homes. At the City Planning Commission’s hearing, residents and developers criticized the decision to downzone the bungalow area. 6 CityLand 74 (June 15, 2009).


Avella calls for investigation of architect

Avella criticizes DCA for sloppy review of questionable application. Council Member Tony Avella faulted the Department of Consumer Affairs and argued for action against the architect who filed inaccurate plans in Qdoba Mexican Grill’s application for an unenclosed sidewalk cafe at 216 Eighth Avenue in Chelsea. Qdoba had previously filed a petition to withdraw its application due to Council’s concerns.

Avella explained, at the August 12th hearing before the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises, … <Read More>


Grand St. rezoning modified

Rezoning passed despite strong opposition by developers. On March 26, 2008, the City Council modified the Department of City Planning’s proposal to downzone 13 blocks along Grand Street and adjoining areas in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.

The area currently consists of three- and four-story buildings, many of which have ground-floor retail and residential use on upper floors. The contextual R6B zoning would limit building heights to either 40 feet at the street or 50 … <Read More>


EIS scoping hearing held for new Bronx 911 center

Center would enable citywide management of emergency services. On September 6, 2007, the NYPD held a public hearing on the draft scope of an environmental impact statement for the proposed construction of a second 911 center for the City. The proposal by the NYPD, the FDNY and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, consists of a 493,500- square-foot office building, along with an accessory parking garage with capacity for 500 vehicles. Designed to house … <Read More>


Eberhard Faber factory cluster heard by Landmarks

Nearby demolition and development lent urgency to potential designation. On July 24, 2007, Landmarks heard testimony on the proposed Eberhard Faber Pencil Company Historic District. The proposed historic district comprises five buildings dating from the 1880s to the 1920s relating to the former Eberhard Faber pencil factory. The company moved to this Brooklyn location after a fire at its Manhattan plant in 1872 and remained there until 1956. The buildings feature stone lintels and terra … <Read More>