Developer built Park Slope condos based on erroneously granted permits. In 1998, Flan Realty LLC purchased three contiguous lots; one on 14th Street and two on 15th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues in Park Slope, Brooklyn. In 2000, Buildings approved Flan’s site plan to develop each lot with a fourstory, eight-unit condominium building. The three buildings were part of a single condominium offering plan, but due to a lack of financial resources, Flan only obtained a permit for the 14th Street building. It completed construction and obtained a certificate of occupancy in 2002.

On April 30, 2003, the City rezoned parts of Park Slope, down-zoning Flan’s three lots from R6 to R6B, which made the completed building and the two proposed buildings non-complying as to floor area ratio, maximum base height, and maximum building height. Despite the change, on May 7, 2003 Flan obtained work permits to construct the two remaining buildings. Work continued until late 2005. With the condos almost complete, the Department of Buildings told Flan to stop work and found that Flan had no claim for grandfathering since it lacked valid permits prior to the down-zoning. (read more…)