School to address increased capacity. On July 27, 2005, the City Council approved a proposal by the New York City School Construction Authority for the construction of a 62,000-square-foot primary/intermediate school in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. The project site consists of two privately owned parcels located on East 107th Street, between Flatlands and Avenue J. The first parcel is 17,000 sq.ft and contains a vacant two-story building previously used as a Yeshiva; the second … <Read More>
Council down-zones over strong opposition
Builders lobbied for no-votes saying down-zonings were aimed at impeding new minority residents. On July 27, 2005, the City Council approved Council Member Andrew J. Lanza’s proposed down-zoning plans for the Eltingville, Tottenville and Great Kills sections of Staten Island; actions which had faced significant opposition at the Planning Commission. See 2 CityLand 89 (July 15, 2005).
The Council down-zoned 12 blocks in Eltingville to allow only single-family homes as-of-right. The Tottenville rezoning covered 65 … <Read More>
Three Bronx neighborhoods rezoned
New plan for Pelham Gardens, Laconia and Baychester. The City Council approved the proposed rezoning of 163 blocks in the Bronx, covering portions of Pelham Gardens, Laconia and Baychester located north of Pelham Parkway and east of Williamsbridge and Boston Roads. The new zoning is designed to preserve the existing neighborhoods’ character with lower density and contextual zoning districts and to prevent out-of-character development.
The neighborhoods’ zoning (R3-2, R4 and R5) has allowed for rowhouse … <Read More>
Out-of-date zoning modified to preserve community
Queens community rezoned at request of residents. On July 27, 2005, the City Council approved a 103-block rezoning in East Flushing. The proposed rezoning was initiated by the Planning Department in response to requests of the East Flushing Civic Association, the Off-Broadway Homeowners’ Association, Community Board 7 and a zoning task force created by Borough President Helen Marshall’s office. The groups raised concerns that the 1961 zoning did not reflect building patterns in the area … <Read More>
Ikea approval upheld
Citizens’ challenge dismissed. In February, 2005, five Brooklyn residents and the Coalition to Revitalize Our Waterfront filed a petition seeking to void the City’s approval of an Ikea superstore in Brooklyn’s Erie Basin, arguing that the environmental study was flawed, the zoning change constituted “spot zoning”, and the development was inconsistent with the City’s zoning plans. 2 CityLand 29 (Mar. 15, 2005).
Justice Karen S. Smith denied the petition, finding that the map amendment was … <Read More>
John De Groot House
Rare Second Empire style house. On June 28, 2005, Landmarks designated the John DeGroot house, located at 1674 Richmond Terrace in West Brighton, Staten Island. Constructed in 1870, the house retains its historic form, including floor length parlor windows, molded cornices and a mansard roof with hexagon slate shingles. In approving, Landmarks noted the building was a rare example of the Second Empire style, and applauded Linda Eskenas, its owner, for the meticulous maintenance.