Set the account up last year...wondered when you might enable it. On board & ready to post.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at July 12, 2006 10:11 AM in response to Site Registration for Commenting

This property is in the rezoned Park Slope area that was done in 2003. One of the first zoning variances we know of (and are watching since similar ones may come up in the South Slope/Greenwood Hts. area). The height limit under R6B is 40' at the street wall, 50' after a set back. No bonuses for parking or anything else. I see no reason this developer can't build under the current zoning and make a profit (if it is actually for his family, my gut says B.S.)...even if he overpaid for property...tisk, tisk.

If the BSA allows him the variance, this sets a bad tone for rezoned areas...we should all keep an eye on this one. CB6 is merely advisory.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at July 13, 2006 1:32 PM in response to CB6 Tells Architect To Shove It

working fine in Safari, so a mozilla based browser may be the way to go across the board.

IE is stinky ;)

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at July 13, 2006 1:40 PM in response to Using Typekey: Just a Little Patience

The BSA voted a big ol' NO TO VESTING this morning in their Executive Session.

The BSA could not support the project’s application due the following:

•The BSA has grave concern over the creditability of the evidence presented

•The BSA supports DOB’s plea to discount illegal mechanical demolition

•The BSA expressed concerns about public safety during the illegal demolition work

•Developer’s attorneys failed to prove their findings and show substantial “legal” completion of the building’s foundation

Pretty sure the developer will be appealing the ruling.

Tough luck...you play unfair, you lose.

No Reward to Developers for illegal and UNSAFE Activities!

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at July 24, 2006 12:49 PM in response to DOB Backs Community Opposition to 15th St. Tower

Crawford,

As one of the so called "nimby" folks in the area (a majority in the area which you would have seen, if you had attended any of the meetings, marches, rallies, public hearings [held by the Community Board, BP Markowitz, City Planning, City Council or the BSA] or heck, shown up to ANY community board meetings over the past 2 years), I'd like to point out you are incorrect in your assumption of who's actually fighting this site and ones like it. There are lots of folks of all ages, gender, ethnicities and creeds (happen to be a 30-something, designer-atheist-DIYer myself and my wife's sure as heck not an old "white hair" as you would assume of us) who cared enough to demand safe, legal and responsible development. Something this site had no intention of being or becoming.

But, I digress.

1. This developer, Isaac Katan (like the majority, not all are scum bags, but track record proves a lot) is NOT CREATING AFFORDABLE QUALITY HOUSING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

2. He does not care about "you" or anyone in the South Slope ("nimby" or not). He cares about turning a quick buck, bottom line. Not improving the neighborhood, not improving this borough, not improving this CIty. Don't kid yourself.

3. While the activists were able to work WITH the Community Board, City Council, City Planning and sometimes the DOB, the BSA's decision is SOLEY based on testimony from the developer's attorney and the DOB. They must prove they have "substantially completed foundation" that was done legally and correctly. They have not.

4. While public opinion is taken as part of the record (whether from community leaders or politicians), it has little to do with the final outcome. 2 properties, with just as shady track records and to who the public came out against (for the illegal activity, not just the development sites) were vested recently by the BSA, under the law despite public and political opinion to the contrary.

5. The BSA...There is a system in place. Some might feel it's broken or in need of a tune up, but it is there for these types of variances and appeals.

6. And finally...For the record, the developer had not purchased the all properties, nor began work until the entire rezoning was in City Planning's hands. The rezoning effort was announced at the community level (though meetings) and publicly (though the Community Board, elected officials, etc.) and thoroughly through the press starting in May 2004.

If the developer chose not to read/watch the NY Times, NYDN, NY Post, NY1, BKLYN 12 or any of the local Brooklyn press, then you can see how much he truly cared about the community he was to build in.

Yes, at the end of the day, there will be some open pits and "eye sores" that will eventually be developed into contextual (now, that's 5 stories) housing stock that hopefully is created safely and legally. I have an eyesore at the top of my block right now, due at the BSA next month.

As an aside, just how much do you think units in this development or one's like it will be going for? In the 500+ units to be completed in the South Slope/Greenwood Hts. area in the next year and a half, the average price so far has been $600K and up. Who is this market for? Where are the folks who used to live in the 2-3 family homes going to live? Where is the diverse community (of new and old immigrants, young and old middle class residents, etc.) going to live? Certainly not in these luxury condos, or am I missing something here...

You are correct, we do need more housing. But, I feel it should be done responsibly, legally and contextually...and the developers can still turn a profit. Who loses with that scenario?

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at July 24, 2006 6:47 PM in response to DOB Backs Community Opposition to 15th St. Tower

UPDATE 07.25.06:
This morning the BSA unanimously voted NO in the vesting application for 182 15th St. So, it's official...no 11 story monster on a 2-3 story block.

I look forward to the eventual 4-5 story condos that will go in place of the original out-of-context building.

For a brief description of today (first on the home page):
http://www.southsouthslope.com/

PS. Darco, I have my own business, which I "choose" to close (at the expense of my pay check and bottom line) and support things I care about in my community. But, that is my choice, right?

And I love tending my garden when I am not out being an active member of my community ;)

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at July 25, 2006 4:41 PM in response to DOB Backs Community Opposition to 15th St. Tower

Darco,

I again question your logic.

Neighborhood become MORE expensive? Have you looked in the real estate section lately? The neighborhood IS expensive.

And I have to ask you a personal question...if, hypothetically, you owned or rented in a 2-3 story row house, would you actually be OK with an 11 story building going up next to you?

Take your time in answering. Try to address air, light, quality of life issues as well as potentially dealing with a developer that does illegal work, cracks your foundation, unsafe asbestos abatement (forcing you to send the summer in your house, windows & door closed at all times), who works on weekends and holidays and basically says FU to anyone who attempts to work with him.

How would you deal with that, I am curious.

Now, add 4 or 5 of these projects on all sides of you. And that's just your small block.

Blows your mind, right?

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at July 26, 2006 5:41 PM in response to BSA Gives the Heisman to Katan

Check out curbed.com's thread on this issue. Same discussion, more POV's

Frankly I am disgusted and have spent half of today working with local officials and the community board getting info to them so they can help get these folks more permanent housing.

The developer is a real piece of work! Nothing good to say about the LoCicero gents...

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at July 26, 2006 5:49 PM in response to Reckless 15th Street Excavation Forces Evac

Agreed. I also think it keeps the dialogs more open since there is somewhat of an accountability that you cannot constantly post "anon" and you have to go through the task of setting up an account.

While I know folks could set up fake persona, it is nice to read and have discourse with some of the regulars...thought I do miss some of the spicy debates the old system offered. This ain't broke, so don't fix it.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at August 3, 2006 9:56 AM in response to What Do You Think of Restricted Commenting?

As an addendum to my last post, I would like to correct the possible perception that I was working hand in hand with CM deBlasio's office or CB7. More through the blogs and the news media to get the story out. Kudos to CB7 and the local electeds for helping these folks out and now possibly back in.

Though the story is far from over...

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at August 3, 2006 10:01 AM in response to Reckless 15th Street Excavation Forces Evac