BSA Makes a Mockery of Itself in Two Rulings
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…
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]
Was Park Slope in a rough way 25 years ago? Yeah, but nearly all of Brooklyn was, at least Brownstone Brooklyn. The whole city was less populated, more dangerous and depressed. Park Slope has turned around as the city turned around–yuppies have been moving in for 30-40 years, but the real change came as the city improved. The neighborhood did not need new, out of proportion, ugly and cheap-looking, overpriced condos to bring in amenities. I think these out of context buildings are really going to hurt the blocks and neighborhoods that have them as the market slows down. People will be choosier and they won’t choose crap.
mimimi,
Sorry if you took my last statement as a threat. It was not meant in any way to be. It was a statement of fact. The Developer (Mr. Isaac Katan) has a history of bad developments and laws suits up the wazoo. Also I have been told from people with first hand knowledge that the job at 162 16th is truly a disaster waiting to happen. So pleased do not take my words as a threat, just as a statement of fact and a word of warning to anyone who is foolish enough to buy anything from Isaac Katan.
Not understanding something, Jake. I respect your history in the Boro and your insight on PS proper…but in our area in the past 3 years, real estate prices are up (my house has doubled in value), new restaurants have opened and amenities are trickling in. While some more of the good will be on its way, close to 300 luxury condos have/will be on the market this year. Taxes will go up, schools will become even more crowded, infrastructure will be overly taxed…and yes, we’ll lose some parking (big deal). Seems the good doesn’t always outweigh the bad. Especially when it comes at the price of property owners with damaged homes, workers injured or killed, developers breaking the law, renters displaced and only high priced condos glutting the market. What am I missing here?
To Jake:
Your assessment of the situation in South Slope/Greenwood, I think, is way off the mark. Neighbors are fighting to protect the value of their properties by making it more difficult to build the kind of out of context blight that has sprung up all over.
Park Slope benefited from having a historic district at its core. And few blocks were chopped up as many in the South Slope have been.
Bringing in luxury housing to this part of the hood, imho, would bring up property values, bring in amenities and, I suspect, lead to an improvement in the local schools (which are pretty strong as it is.) As a homeowner in the area, it is clear to me that putting up an 11 story building and/or other cheaply constructed/cheap looking apartments next to 2 and 3 story houses does nothing but depress values, neighborhood character and prospects for growth.
What we are seeing isn’t smart development, it is opportunistic — and not very intelligently opportunistic at that.
Anon 6:01pm
“The funny thing is that these same people feel they are the ones who built up their nabeâ€
You hit on the nose.
I have been in Brooklyn 40 years. PS was crime ridden. New comers came, change the nabe. The old timers that stuck it out are reaping the benefits (Higher property values, good schools, amenities galore). Similar situation started to occur in greenwood heights/South Slope, but self proclaimed neighborhood companions shut it down hopefully just slowed it down. Result old timers will not be able to get the best possible buy out for their property. Since there no new residents expecting/forcing higher standards current schools will remain with the same status quo. No new residents translate into no increase business/demand aka no new amenities. They have done our nabe in. Other nabes will benefit from our ignorance for the truth. We will not have higher home values, no better schools, no great restaurants and shops at walking distance. But we have parking what a great trade off.
TO ALL: with the exception of a few of us (though I am going on 3 years), the MAJORITY of those fighting these developments have lived in the nabe for 10+ years, if not their whole lives. So please back off with the Paramus and Maplewood B.S. and all the “nouveau slopies” garbage.
These are folks concerned about THEIR community, whether old timers or new to the ‘hood.
Oh, these nouveau slopies dream of going elsewhere–Have you heard of Maplewood?
New versus old is actually a new, rich phenom in the slope as far as I can see. Everybody in the south slope hated the bad construction going on at the Ansonia. How hideous are the giant out of character addition to the top story. But the attitude then used to be whatever. Now that parking is scarce and coffee expensive it’s the newer residents who want to keep their shangri-la a secret. The funny thing is that these same people feel they are the ones who built up their nabe and wouldn’t dream of going elsewhere although they think other property owners’ properties should be of no value to them.
To Wake Up,
I appreciate your enthusiasm and agree with your assessment of that property. However, the threatening tone you use to close your message is asinine. It has no place on this board or in any sort of civilized discourse.