Opponents challenged 60-foot height. On September 17, 2007, the Planning Commission approved the special permit application of Two Trees Management Co. LLC, facilitating its controversial plan to build a six-story, 60-foot tall building adjacent to the South Brooklyn Savings Bank, a 1922 building located at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street within the Cobble Hill Historic District. Overall, the development would include 31,512 sq.ft. of residential space with 37 units, and 6,865 sq.ft. of ground-floor retail including a Trader Joe’s grocery store to be located within the now-vacant bank building.

Designed by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, the new six-story building would occupy the bank’s parking lot and an adjacent lot containing a one-story office building, which Two Trees would demolish.

Two Trees’ plan required a waiver of the 50-foot height limit, and relief from rear yard, parking, and other zoning restrictions, which Two Trees sought in exchange for its plan to restore the historic bank. Landmarks approved the plan after Two Trees set back the sixth story to make it less visible from Atlantic Avenue and abandoned a plan for a stair and elevator tower linking the bank and residential building. (read more…)