Second Department ordered BSA to determine whether special permit findings were met. In 2005, Alexis Lyublinskiy obtained an alteration permit to enlarge his one-story home at 136 Norfolk Street in Manhattan Beach. Initial demolition and construction work did not match building plans, and Lyublinskiy eventually demolished all but one of the original building’s walls and built a two-story house.

Buildings issued a stop-workorder after discovering that the house did not conform to the approved plans. Buildings rescinded the order, but later issued a second order after determining that the house exceeded the permitted floor area and violated wall height and side yard regulations. Instead of revoking the permit, Buildings issued a letter allowing the permit to be categorized as an alteration rather than new construction. (more…)