106-06-BZ
APPLICANT – Sheldon Lobel, P.C., for Mendel Bobker, owner.
SUBJECT – Application May 23, 2006 – Pursuant to ZR §73-622 Special Permit to allow the enlargement of a two-family residence which exceeds the allowable floor area ratio per ZR 23-141, side yards less than the minimum per ZR 23-461 and proposes a rear yard less than the minimum required per ZR 23-47. The premise is located in an R-2 zoning district.
PREMISES AFFECTED – 1436 East 28th Street, west side of East 28th Street, 280 between Avenue N and Kings Highway, Block 7681, Lot 62, Borough of Brooklyn.
COMMUNITY BOARD #14BK
APPEARANCES –
For Applicant: Jordan Most.
ACTION OF THE BOARD – Application granted on condition.
THE VOTE TO GRANT –
Affirmative: Chair Srinivasan, Vice-Chair Collins, Commissioner Ottley-Brown and Commissioner Hinkson……………………………………………….4
Negative:...... 0
THE RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, the decision of the Brooklyn Borough Commissioner, dated April 28, 2006, acting on Department of Buildings Application No. 302073379, reads in pertinent part:
“The proposed enlargement of the existing two-family residence in an R2 district:
1. Causes an increase in the floor area by exceeding the maximum allowable floor area, thereby being contrary to Section 23-141(a) of the Zoning Resolution.
2. Proposed plans are contrary to ZR 23-47 in that the proposed rear yard is less than the required 30’-0”.
3. Proposed plans are contrary to ZR 23-461(a) in that the proposed side yards are less than the minimum required, of 5’-0” minimum each and a total minimum of 13’-0”.”; and
WHEREAS, this is an application under ZR §§ 73-622 and 73-03, to permit, in an R2 zoning district, the proposed enlargement of a two-family dwelling, which does not comply with the zoning requirements for floor area, rear yard, and side yards, contrary to ZR §§ 23-141, 23-461, and 23-47; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on this application on September 12, 2006, after due notice by publication in The City Record, with continued hearings on October 24, 2006, and then to decision on October 24, 2006; and
WHEREAS, the premises and surrounding area had a site and neighborhood examination by a committee of the Board consisting of Chair Srinivasan
and Commissioner Collins; and
WHEREAS, Community Board 14, Brooklyn, recommends approval of this application on the condition that there be a distance of five feet between the house and the garage; and
WHEREAS, certain neighbors provided testimony in opposition to the proposal, citing concerns about the neighborhood character for larger rear yards; and
WHEREAS, the subject lot is located on the west side of 28th Street, between Avenue N and Kings Highway; and
WHEREAS, the subject lot has a total lot area of 3,000 sq. ft., and is occupied by a 2,060 sq. ft. (0.69 FAR) two-family home; and
WHEREAS, the premises is within the boundaries of a designated area in which the subject special permit is available; and
WHEREAS, the proposed enlargement will be two stories with a cellar and will be located at the rear of the existing home; and
WHEREAS, the applicant seeks an increase in the floor area from 2,060 sq. ft. (0.69 FAR) to 2,552 sq. ft. (0.85 FAR); the maximum floor area permitted is 1,500 sq. ft. (0.50 FAR); and
WHEREAS, the applicant proposes to maintain the existing non-complying front yard of 14’-11” (15 feet is the minimum required), and the existing non-complying side yards of 3’-5” and 6’-0” (side yards of 13’-0” are required with a minimum width of 5’-0” for one); and
WHEREAS, the applicant proposes to provide a rear yard of 20’-0” (30’-0” is the minimum required); and
WHEREAS, the enlargement of the building into the rear yard is not located within 20’-0” of the rear lot line; and
WHEREAS, the wall height and total height, which comply with zoning district regulations, will not change; and
WHEREAS, at hearing, the Board expressed concern that there was not sufficient space between the rear of the enlarged home and the garage; and
WHEREAS, in response, the applicant revised the plans to provide for a minimum of three feet between the rear of the home and the existing garage; and
WHEREAS, the applicant states that a three ft. portion of the garage, closest to the rear of the home would be demolished in order to provide the additional space; and
WHEREAS, the Board notes that certain neighbors expressed concern about the effect any alteration to the existing garage might have on the adjoining garage on the adjacent property; and
WHEREAS, at hearing, the Board asked the applicant about how any potential impact on the garage was being addressed; and
WHEREAS, the applicant provided a statement, stamped and sealed by a professional engineer, stating that precautions would be taken during the partial demolition of the subject garage in order to protect the party wall of the adjoining garage and adjacent property; and
WHEREAS, as to neighborhood context, the applicant submitted a streetscape indicating the heights of five homes on the subject block, indicating that the neighboring homes and the subject home, as proposed, all have a total height of 25’-9”; and
WHEREAS, the Board notes that the FAR increase is comparable to other FAR increases that the Board has granted through the subject special permit in the subject zoning district; and
WHEREAS, accordingly, the Board finds that the proposed enlargement will neither alter the essential character of the surrounding neighborhood, nor impair the future use and development of the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, the Board finds that the proposed project will not interfere with any pending public improvement project; and
WHEREAS, the Board finds that, under the conditions and safeguards imposed, any hazard or disadvantage to the community at large due to the proposed special permit use is outweighed by the advantages to be derived by the community; and
WHEREAS, therefore, the Board has determined that the evidence in the record supports the findings required to be made under ZR § 73-622 and 73-03.
Therefore it is Resolved, that the Board of Standards and Appeals issues a Type II determination under 6 N.Y.C.R.R. Part 617.5 and 617.3 and §§ 5-02(a), 5-02(b)(2) and 6-15 of the Rules of Procedure for City Environmental Quality Review and makes the required findings under ZR §§ 73-622 and 73-03, to permit, in an R2 zoning district, the proposed enlargement of a two-family dwelling, which does not comply with the zoning requirements for floor area, rear yard, and side yards, contrary to ZR §§ 23-141, 23-461, and 23-47; on condition that all work shall substantially conform to drawings as they apply to the objections above-noted, filed with this application and marked “Received October 26, 2006”–(6) sheets; and on further condition:
THAT there shall be no habitable room in the cellar;
THAT the above condition shall be set forth in the certificate of occupancy;
THAT the following shall be the bulk parameters of the building and the yard dimensions: a total floor area of 2,552 sq. ft. (0.85 FAR), a wall height of 21’-9”, a total height of 25’-9”, a front yard of 14’-11”, one side yard of 3’-5”, one side yard of 6’-0”, and a rear yard of 20’-0”, all as illustrated on the BSA-approved plans;
THAT there shall be a minimum distance of three feet between the house and the garage;
THAT the garage shall be as approved by DOB;
THAT any porches shall be as approved by DOB;
THAT this approval is limited to the relief granted by the Board in response to specifically cited and filed DOB/other jurisdiction objections(s) only; no approval has been given by the Board as to the use and layout of the cellar;
THAT the approved plans shall be considered approved only for the portions related to the specific relief granted; and
THAT the Department of Buildings must ensure compliance with all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Resolution, the Administrative Code, and any other relevant laws under its jurisdiction irrespective of the plan(s)/configuration(s) not related to the relief granted.
Adopted by the Board of Standards and Appeals, October 31, 2006.