Queens school sought to build additional floors and play area to accommodate increased enrollment. The Jewish Center of Torath Emeth sought a variance for a proposed expansion of Yeshiva Ketana of Queens, a boys school located at 78- 15 Parsons Boulevard in a R3-2 zoning district of Kew Garden Hills. The lot contains a two-story 21,142 sq.ft. school and a one-story synagogue. The expansion included an 8,500 sq.ft. two-story addition to house additional classrooms, offices, resource rooms and a 2,800 sq.ft. rooftop play area, and would be in excess of both FAR and front wall restrictions. Additionally, the plans called for an elevator to be sited outside the building structure in violation of front yard restrictions.
Torath Emeth argued that the current building was not capable of accommodating a potential increase of 50 students, and the additional play area was required to meet the Department of Education playarea- per-child standards. The local Civic Association objected to the project, citing parking concerns. Torath Emeth responded that most of the students live within a onemile walk of the school. It also submitted a letter from DOT indicating that “No Parking School Days” signs will be installed on 78th Avenue.
BSA approved the variance, noting that Torath Emeth was not required to prove hardship because it was a not-for-profit organization, but limited use of the play area to recreational activities and its hours of operation from 10am to 5pm Monday through Thursday; 9:30am to 12pm on Friday; and 10am to 1pm on Sunday.
BSA: 78-15 Parsons Boulevard (8-04- BZ) (February 15, 2005) (Sheldon Lobel, P.C., for Jewish Center of Torath Emeth). CITYADMIN