BSA approves variance for six-story parking structure. The New York Botanical Garden applied for a variance to construct a six-story, 123,600-square-foot parking garage with 825 spaces. The proposed garage, to be located on two Bronx lots adjacent to the Metro-North Botanical Garden Station along Webster Avenue, Bedford Park Boulevard and Botanical Square South, would replace an abandoned gas station and a one-story warehouse. The proposal required a variance to alter height and setback limitations, allow … <Read More>
Search Results for: Variance
Conversion of apartments to dormitory use approved
Twelve residential buildings to be converted to dorms over opposition. St. John’s University proposed to convert 12 three-unit apartment buildings into dormitories, increasing the potential student occupancy from 108 to 162. St John’s currently uses the buildings, located along Union Turnpike in Flushing, Queens, as apartments for its students. The plan called for no alteration or enlargement to the buildings; however the use change would render the buildings noncompliant with the City’s 15-foot yard requirement, … <Read More>
Two NoHo projects obtain BSA approval
Residential building and hotel replace former NoHo gas station sites. BSA approved two development proposals in NoHo, Manhattan for an eight-story residential building at 363 Lafayette Street and a 16-story mixed-use building, to be occupied predominantly by a hotel, one block away at 4 East 3rd Street.
Developer 363 Lafayette LLC applied to BSA to construct a 30,519-square-foot building with 17 residential units and ground-floor retail on a 5,549-square-foot, manufacturing- zoned lot fronting Great Jones, … <Read More>
Revised plan for Superior Ink site approved
Architect Robert A.M. Stern’s new design reduced needed variances. The Related Companies applied to BSA to alter its February 2006 variance approval for a 15-story, mixed-use development to replace the Superior Ink building on West Street between Bethune and West 12th Streets. 3 CityLand 8 (Feb. 2006). The design change originated from Related’s replacement of the original project architect, Charles Gwathmey, with Robert A.M. Stern.
When Related first sought approval from BSA, the site’s zoning … <Read More>
BSA refuses to grandfather constructed condos
Developer built Park Slope condos based on erroneously granted permits. In 1998, Flan Realty LLC purchased three contiguous lots; one on 14th Street and two on 15th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues in Park Slope, Brooklyn. In 2000, Buildings approved Flan’s site plan to develop each lot with a fourstory, eight-unit condominium building. The three buildings were part of a single condominium offering plan, but due to a lack of financial resources, Flan only … <Read More>
BSA denied catering use in synagogue’s basement
Catering hall operated independently of synagogue use. In the 18,000- square-foot basement of its synagogue and school building, Yeshiva Imrei Chaim Viznitz operated a public catering hall. The catering hall had two lobbies, two kitchens and separate entrances to the street, and operated events seven days a week. In 2004 and 2005, the hall held over 320 events including weddings with over 500 guests.
The Department of Buildings issued an order to close down the … <Read More>