FAR numbers? Confused.


Hi,

I am trying to determine whether I can build a small room on our roof and looking at the OASIS map I pulled up the following:

Lot Area: 1,917 sq ft (19′ x 100.92′)
# of Buildings: 1
# of floors: 4
Building Area: 12,168 sq ft
Total Units: 3 Residential Units: 3
Primary zoning: R7-2 Commercial Overlay: None
Floor Area Ratio: 6.35 Max. FAR: 3.44

Can somebody who has a bit of experience with this sort of thing explain what the numbers above mean and whether there is enough FAR for a small room? Much appreciated.

Thanks.

Categories: Architects
By kissiffer4 | 06/02/2011 1:49 PM | Comment

Roof Rights – Limited Common Area? Cost?


Hi,

So, I am trying to have our condo declaration amended to reflect exclusive roof rights for our building. Small, unincorporated 3 unit building and I have verbal agreements from the other 2 owners.

Speaking with one attorney, they said the roof will be re-designated as a ‘limited common area’.

What I’m wondering is, will being a limited common area give me sufficient rights if we want to build a room up there in a year or two from now? We are in a non-landmarked area. I know there is the separate issue of FAR, but I will cross that bridge later. Just want to know if it being a limited common area will create any restrictions.

Initially, we are going to build a small deck (30% coverage).

Also, what is a ballpark figure for getting the roof rights portion taken care of? (legal + architect fees).

Thanks!

Categories: Construction
By kissiffer4 | 04/28/2011 2:19 PM | Comment

Will Getting Roof Rights Increase our Property Tax Amount?


Hi

So, we are pretty close to getting this completed with the roof rights. Attorney papers, architect papers. One question I do have is, will our property taxes be affected once we actually have roof rights? I spoke with somebody at the city register who handles the filing and he told me our property taxes will be recalculated because of the additional limited common element (roof) space.

Does anybody here have any experience with that and know possibly how much extra $ we will be looking at in taxes?

Thanks very much!

Categories: Taxes
By kissiffer4 | 04/22/2011 10:08 AM | Comment

Want to build a deck/room on roof – How do I find out about air rights?


Hi,

I am in the process of speaking with an architect to draw up plans for a roof deck or preferable an extra room on the roof (not the entire roof, maybe 2/3). How do I find out if I have air rights? If not, can I still build a deck or room?

Thanks.

Categories: Construction
By kissiffer4 | 04/13/2011 1:18 PM | Comment

Stoop Columns Require Urgent Repair…


Hi,

We are a 3 family brownstone and the funds in our condo association are extremely limited. Unfortunately, we have relatively urgent repair work that needs to be done on our stoop and columns. There is no way that we have enough money in the kitty to fund the work, so how would we go about getting a loan to cover the cost of the repair?

We can certainly increase the monthly dues to cover the payment of the loan.

Any feedback much appreciated. Thanks.

Categories: Construction
By kissiffer4 | 04/11/2011 9:45 AM | Comment

How do I get a copy of the existing condo declaration and bylaws?


Hi,

We purchased our apartment in a brownstone building a year and a half ago and looking back at the condo bylaws we received at the time, they were not the current bylaws. How would I go about getting a copy of the existing condo declaration and bylaws? I asked the other two owners in the building and neither of them have a copy on file. I was a first time buyer at the time and looking back it is something I wish I obviously insisted I received at the time of purchase.

Thanks!

Categories: Legal
By kissiffer4 | 03/26/2011 4:03 PM | Comment

Check valve – is it in the correct position – cross connection?


Hi,

Here is a photo of our current piping setup around the water heater:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21503963@N04/5550135707/

On the far left is what we think is a return line, next to that is the hot water pipe and on the right is the cold water pipe.

Behind the flue is a check valve pointing to the right ->. Now, we have a problem with a cross connection in our apartment and one theory is the check valve is in the wrong position and ought to be closer to the water heater on the cold pipe. What do you guys think?

Categories: Plumbers
By kissiffer4 | 03/22/2011 11:01 PM | Comment

Hot Water Heater + Installation – Reasonable Quote?


Hi,

I just had a quote to install a 50 gallon high recovery hot water heater. The total came to $1750, which includes hauling away the old one. Being new to this sort of thing, is that a reasonable quote? Not trying to squeeze the guy, but want to make sure I’m not getting over charged.

Thanks.

Categories: Plumbing
By kissiffer4 | 03/15/2011 2:06 PM | Comment

Steps Required to Obtain Roof Rights?


Hi,

I have verbal agreements from the other two owners in our brownstone building that we can obtain roof rights (currently a common area of the condo). I will be paying outright for a new roof as compensation, since our building has very little spare funding.

The question I have is, what steps do I need to go through in order to get the condo bylaws amended to specify that we have roof rights?

Are there any attorneys out there who can assist with this sort of thing?

Lastly, what is a ball park number for going through the whole process?

Thanks.

Categories: Legal
By kissiffer4 | 03/04/2011 9:45 AM | Comment

Buying a New Washing/Dryer Combo


Hi,

We are replacing our existing washer/dryer combo unit and are considering the following:

http://www.pcrichard.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=55471&parentCategoryId=1&categoryId=10000&subCategoryId=10110

or

http://www.pcrichard.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=56260&parentCategoryId=1&categoryId=10000&subCategoryId=10110

The Frigidaire is a good $400 cheaper and if it does the job I’ll go with that. I know next to nothing about this sort of thing, so any feedback/suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks!

Categories: Appliances
By kissiffer4 | 02/22/2011 1:31 PM | Comment