City Council Set to Decide on Reduced Downtown Brooklyn Parking Requirements

Proposal to revise residential and public parking rules faces scrutiny on its ability to encourage affordable housing. On November 26, 2012, the City Council’s Zoning & Franchises Subcommittee held a hearing to examine a proposal to amend the parking requirements for the Special Downtown Brooklyn District. The main goal of the proposal, submitted by the Department of City Planning (DCP), is the reduction of required parking sites within the District. The proposal attempts to … <Read More>



BSA Approved Addition to Four East Village Tenements Despite Opposition

Department of Buildings denied developer permits because plans did not comply with Multiple Dwelling law and community opposed out-of-character building enlargements. In March 2011, Terrence Lowenberg applied for alteration permits to build one-story additions on four pre-1929 apartment buildings at 329 to 335 East 9th Street in the East Village of Manhattan. Lowenberg planned to enlarge 331, 333, and 335 East 9th Street from five stories to six stories, reaching a height of 67 feet, … <Read More>


Landmarks Approves NoHo Project With Only Minor Tweaks

Compliments abound for BKSK-designed eleven-story-plus-penthouse building proposed for Broadway lot used for flea market. On October 9, 2012, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved Downtown RE Holdings LLC’s plan to build an eleven-story-plus-penthouse building at 688 Broadway in the NoHo Historic District. The site has been used as a parking lot and is currently occupied by a flea market.

George Schieferdecker and Harry Kendall, from BKSK Architects, presented Downtown RE Holdings’ proposal. The building … <Read More>


Planning Commission Approves NYCHA Housing Project in the Soundview Section of the Bronx

NYCHA-proposed rezoning would facilitate development of two eight-story buildings and 16 attached duplexes on an underutilized parking lot. On August 22, 2012, the City Planning Commission approved NYCHA’s proposal to develop a 238-unit, multi-building affordable housing project in the Soundview section of the Bronx. The 155,000-square-foot project site is on the southeastern edge of a block bounded by Randall, Bronx River, Lacombe, and Rosedale Avenues. NYCHA’s 13-building Soundview Houses housing complex is north of … <Read More>


ECB Upholds $40,000 in Fines for Illegal Signs on Bodega

Company argued that two promotional contest signs installed at bodega were accessory signs. On September 9, 2010, the City’s Department of Buildings issued four notices of violation to Contest Promotions NY LLC for two signs installed at the New Grocery and Deli located at 175 Grand Street in Brooklyn. Contest Promotions is a promotional company that works with businesses to promote contests and sweepstakes. The sign featured advertisements for the Nikita television program and … <Read More>