BSA Denial of Billboard Permit Upheld on Appeal

Court held Board properly found billboards were prohibited near Holland Tunnel exit.  On January 8, 2013 the Board of Standards and Appeals issued two decisions denying an appeal of a Department of Buildings decision to refuse permitting two billboards near the Holland Tunnel exit in Tribeca, Manhattan.  Take Two Outdoor Media LLC, the appellant, argued the Holland Tunnel’s exit roadway did not constitute an “approach” to an arterial roadway under §49-16 of the Rules of … <Read More>


BSA Reinstates Construction Permit in Rezoned Area

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 … <Read More>


BSA Grants Permit to Enlarge Special District Building in Brooklyn

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 … <Read More>


BSA Permits New Commercial Building on Unmapped Street

Board approved construction after assurances from FDNY.  On January 13, 2015 the Board of Standards and Appeals approved a special permit for Carlo Saccheri to construct a two-story commercial building at 44 Marjorie Street in Charleston, Staten Island.  The building will be used for the receiving and storage of plumbing supplies, as well as associated office space and commercial truck parking.


Variances Amended To Permit Transfer of Development Rights

BSA found development value of subject lots could not be previously realized.  On December 16, 2014 the Board of Standards and Appeals voted to grant the applicants, West 29th Street Owner’s Corp. and The Flower House Condominium, an amendment of previously existing variances on two lots.  The amendment is required to merge the lots into one zoning lot and transfer their development rights to an as-of-right hotel in development on an adjacent site.  The subject … <Read More>


Special Permit Granted To Enlarge Building in Historic District

BSA found the proposed expansion would not alter the neighborhood character or interfere with any pending public improvements.  On December 9, 2014 the Board of Standards and Appeals voted to grant the applicant, Galt Group Holdings, a special permit to extend the rear portion of an existing building as part of the building’s conversion into a single-family home.  The building is located at 127 East 71st Street in Manhattan’s Upper East Side Historic District, … <Read More>