BSA sides with owner despite strong opposition. On August 22, 2006, BSA granted a variance to Atlas Packaging Solutions Holding Corporation, the owner of a vacant, 2,500- square-foot lot at 146 Conover Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn, to allow construction of a six-unit, four-story, 5,350-square-foot residential building in a manufacturing zone (M2-1). Prior to 1980, the lot contained a residential building.

In support of the variance, Atlas argued that the site’s small size and the fact that the two adjacent lots contained residential uses made modern industrial uses unmarketable. Atlas submitted a study showing that as-of-right development would be infeasible and a survey showing no other vacant, small manufacturing sites in Red Hook with adjacent residential uses. It also offered proof of its efforts to market the site for manufacturing uses. Atlas had initially proposed a taller eight-unit building, but, upon BSA’s request, reduced the height and number of units to match adjacent buildings. BSA also directed Atlas to eliminate the cellar to avoid added construction costs. (read more…)