Synagogue had sought approval of eight market-rate residential units as part of new synagogue and yeshiva. BSA granted a variance to Congregation Somlou, permitting a four-story synagogue with a yeshiva and a single accessory apartment for use by a rabbi at 245 Hooper Street, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Somlou initially proposed to construct a five-story building with eight market-rate residential units, requiring variances for floor area, height, setback, lot coverage, and rear yard size. Community Board 1 opposed the five-story proposal, arguing that Somlou had not established unique hardship or institutional need. BSA informed Somlou that a community facility waiver was not justified since the project’s excess size was caused by the market-rate units and not the synagogue. (read more…)