YMCA at 99 Meserole Avenue in Brooklyn. Image: YMCA.

Vestibule lacked connection to the building’s sprinkler system. The YMCA maintains a location at 99 Meserole Avenue in Brooklyn in a building constructed in the mid-1900’s. The YMCA at this location has a gym, locker room, rooms for hosting communal activities and classes as well as living quarters to serve as a Department of Homeless Services shelter. The second, third and fourth floors consist of 102 bedrooms and kitchen areas. (read more…)

YMCA sought to expand gym, install cardio center. YMCA of Greater New York sought a variance for its building at 69-02 64th Street from lot coverage and side yard requirements to facilitate its expansion. The building, a former courthouse characterized by a horseshoe-shape and a narrow central courtyard, is already out of compliance with lot coverage and side yard requirements for community facilities within an R5 zoning district. The expansion would fill in the open courtyard, further increasing the building’s lot coverage and minimizing its side yards.

YMCA argued that the building’s existing layout did not allow for efficient floor plates and hindered proper pedestrian circulation. According to YMCA, it was infeasible to expand the building as-of-right while abiding by lot coverage and side yard restrictions because it was already non-compliant. (read more…)