Please send copies of the letter below to GVSHP
232 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10003
or fax: (212) 475-9582
or e-mail: gvshp@gvshp.org
DATE
Hon. Meenakshi Srinivasan, Chair
New York City Board of Standards and Appeals
40 Rector Street
New York, NY 10006
via fax to (212) 788-8769
Re: Opposition to Variances for BSA Cal. #96-11-BZ and Appeal of the Department of Buildings Denial to Reinstate Permits for BSA Cal. #125-11-A, at 514-516 East 6th Street
Dear Chair Srinivasan:
I write to express my opposition to the request for variances to legalize enlargements at 514-516 East 6th Street. I also oppose the appeal challenging the Department of Buildings’ refusal to reinstate permits for the enlargements at the same address.
These additions should never have been built. The construction violates the Multiple Dwelling Law and the 2008 downzoning of the area. The Department of Buildings exceeded its authority in granting waivers for the additions to these buildings. Previously, the Board of Standards and Appeals correctly ruled against the Department of Buildings’ decision that allowed the construction of these illegal rooftop additions, and that decision should stand.
These inappropriate enlargements are out-of-scale and threaten the character of the neighborhood. This area was downzoned specifically due to its special character. Granting variances to allow these inappropriate additions to remain would set a far-reaching and dangerous precedent for countless areas which are similarly zoned and with a similar housing stock of tenements, as well as impacting enforcement of the Multiple Dwelling Law and Fire Safety laws.
The owner has claimed that the additions are necessary to generate sufficient rental income. We question this hardship appeal given the market rate rents charged for apartments in the buildings. Further, the owner created his own hardship in erecting the additional floors while an appeal was in process with BSA. I urge the BSA to deny the request for variances and the appeal for the DOB’s decision to not reinstate the permits.
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Sincerely,
NAME
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