Yesterday, the Board of Standards and Appeals held hearings on three controversial properties in the South Slope and Greenwood Heights. The session lasted from 10 am to 2:30 pm and included testimony from numerous community members in addition to lawyers for the developers. So far we’ve only got details on the highest profile case–Chaim Nussencweig’s Scarano-designed, Minerva-blocking condo at 614 7th Avenue–but hope to have the rest for you later today or tomorrow. On 614 7th Avenue, the DOB clarified its position that the foundation work done between November 10 and 15 should be excluded from consideration as far as vesting goes and rejected an affidavit by Scarano claiming that on November 10 Brooklyn Deputy Borough Commissioner Tom Fariello gave him verbal approval to resume construction because Fariello claims not to remember the conversation. Citing the upcoming hearing on 25 Scarano-designed properties, the DOB said it had “serious questions” about the validity of the November 15 permit. So where does that leave things? The case is closed pending submissions of clarification from the developer’s attorney and the investigation of Scarano’s Mezzanine-Gate. Possible outcomes include rescinding all work done after September 2005, which would invalidate the foundation and all subsequent work. The BSA is scheduled to render its final decision on June 6th.
B’kln Spared Another 20 Feet of Scarano [Brownstoner] GMAP