The Park Slope Courier calls bullsh!t on the BSA’s recent gift to developers in the South Slope who’ve done nothing but flout the law and give the finger to the community. While finding that neither 400 15th Street (top) nor 639 6th Avenue (bottom) had its foundation substantially complete–the condition for being vested under the old zoning laws–the Board only confirmed the public perception that it is in developers’ pockets by allowing the projects to go forward under claims of hardship. Basically, the developers got a free pass because the Board was worried that they wouldn’t make enough money if they had to play by the rules. Grassroots community groups weren’t the only ones who opposed the variances. “Clearly the foundations were not advanced in both cases, and we felt they should not have been vested,” said John Keefe, a representative from Assemblymember James Brennan’s office, who testified against the developers’ requests.
Park Slope Zone Busting! [Park Slope Courier]
Brooklyn Olympic Sport: Beat the Downzone [Curbed]