Owner relies on hardship and changes in the area. The owner of 6002 Fort Hamilton Parkway in Bay Ridge applied to BSA to convert a three-story commercial/warehouse building, zoned for manufacturing, to a 124,880-square-foot residential building with 90 units, ground floor retail and public parking for 90 cars. The building had been used as a dairy processing center for the Borden Milk Company, an auto service space, roller skating rink and, until recently, as a wood-working showroom and warehouse distribution space.

The owner argued that the building was unfit for manufacturing due to its small freight elevator, lack of truck maneuvering space, inadequate parking and uneven floors, making it difficult to move stock within the interior. Arguing that Bay Ridge had changed dramatically, the owner claimed that seven adjacent lots were used illegally as residential and 75 percent of the surrounding lots contained housing. Community Board 12 recommended approval if the parking was restricted to residents.

BSA determined that hardship existed due to the building’s condition, but expressed concern over the proposed size of the project. In response, the owner submitted six alternatives, including the use of the existing three-story warehouse as residential, and conversion into an 110,000-square-foot, four-story structure.

After review of the feasibility studies, BSA granted a variance for a six-story, 103,970-square-foot building with retail and 92 parking spaces restricted to tenants, finding that to be the minimum size needed to grant the owner relief.

BSA: 6002 Fort Hamilton Parkway (363- 04-BZ) (July 19, 2005) (Herrick, Feinstein LLP, for applicant). CITYADMIN