Signs requested by MetroTech BID and local businesses. Landmarks issued a binding report approving MetroTech BID’s proposal to install “way finding signage” throughout downtown Brooklyn. The proposal developed more than three years ago from a general consensus among MetroTech and downtown Brooklyn business groups that there was a lack of signage in downtown Brooklyn to assist pedestrians in finding key destinations. Initially using its own funds, and later obtaining capital funding from Brooklyn Borough President … <Read More>
Backyard addition to 1841 Village townhouse approved
Landmarks approved controversial three-story addition. At a March 7, 2006 meeting, Landmarks unanimously approved a three-story rear addition to an 1841 Greek Revival building at 159 West 12th Street in the Greenwich Village Historic District. The initial plan, presented by Hottenroth & Joseph Architects, called for demolition of an existing two-story addition and construction of a new four-story addition approximately 1,300 sq.ft. larger.
At the hearing, the owners, Donna and Paul Ullman, testified that they … <Read More>
BSA denied variance to Sheepshead Bay residence
Owner sought to enlarge one-family home. The owner of 2026 Avenue T, a 2,640-square-foot corner lot in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, sought a variance to enlarge a 3,001-square-foot residence. The existing structure, already noncomplying, is 1,020 sq.ft. larger than allowed in an R4 district.
Initially, the owner sought a special permit to enlarge the residence into the south side yard with an additional 470 sq.ft. BSA, however, ruled that the proposal was ineligible because the zoning … <Read More>
Variance granted after concession on height and parking
Split-level manufacturing building in DUMBO will be converted to 52-unit residential building. 37 Bridge Associates, LLC, the owner of 37 Bridge Street, a 12,500-square-foot lot between Water and Plymouth Streets in Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn, proposed to convert a 67,500-square-foot manufacturing building for residential use. The split-level, three- and seven-story building, formerly occupied by a soap manufacturer, is located on the border of M1-2 and M1-3 zoning districts within the DUMBO National Register Historic District.
37 … <Read More>
Music studio wins variance
Former metal manufacturing plant will be converted into a music studio. The owner of 28 Quincy Street in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn proposed to convert a one-story warehouse into a private-use music studio with two newly-constructed, second-story residential units. Located on a 5,747-square-foot lot between Classon Avenue and Downing Street, the warehouse has most recently served as storage; it previously served as a garage and a metal manufacturing plant. The owner was permitted as-of-right to construct … <Read More>
Owner withdraws Greenpoint variance application
Owner sought to convert industrial building to residential units. 202 Meserole LLC, owner of a three-story building located at the corner of Jewel Street and Meserole Avenue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, sought a variance to convert the 15,960-squarefoot building into 17 residential units.
In its BSA application, Meserole represented that the building was structurally incapable of supporting as-of-right manufacturing because the building was originally intended for residential use, and consequently had low ceilings and no freight … <Read More>