Illegal Addition at Carlton and Dean?
Before Thanksgiving, Set Speed got a tip from a reader that the addition to 536 Carlton Avenue in Prospect Heights wasn’t on the up-and-up. “The zoning being used is R6, although the proper zoning for the block is R6B,” he writes. “The reader surmises that the builder knows the block’s inhabitants probably do not have…
Before Thanksgiving, Set Speed got a tip from a reader that the addition to 536 Carlton Avenue in Prospect Heights wasn’t on the up-and-up. “The zoning being used is R6, although the proper zoning for the block is R6B,” he writes. “The reader surmises that the builder knows the block’s inhabitants probably do not have money to hire a lawyer to fight this.” We stopped by ourselves this weekend and the building certainly takes up the entire lot, but is it possible that corner buildings are allowed to be built out more? Or is this simply another example of construction abuse? What do the neighbors think? (This photo is taken of the rear of the building. The front of the building at the corner of Carlton and Dean is at far right in the photo.)
536 Carlton Illegal Addition [Set Speed] GMAP P*Shark
I heard the DOB is looking at this project and the illegal use of F.A.R. Looks like somebody’s gonna get the crack of the whip! Just cause your not Scarano doesn’t mean they won’t go after you!!!
Not true, 7:40. A lot of people DO really care – and me thinks you are well aware of it…and isn’t that the real reason why you are kinda freaking out and writing something as psychologically revealing as this?
Decent people with even the most basic senses of compassion, ethics, and a well-controlled appreciation for materialistic possessions don’t do asshole things that negatively affect their neighbors just because they can (or could, rather?) get away with it.
Step back, check your ego, develop some self-awareness and take notice of others around you, moron.
And heads will soon roll at the DOB…I smell a major shakeout.
Guess what, Arnelo? Nobody cares. Sorry. At times the non-stop whining on this site just turns people off.
Ooooh, so this was the building the neighbors who are suing gave testimony at AM Brennan’s DOB hearing this past month. SNAFU!
Read the comments folks. Obviously the commisioner or someone else is on the take.
This comment sounds like it was made by a DOB employee.
“We have recieved multiple complaints but the comissioner in charge told us that its all been taking care of in court months ago. Unless they use fascade materials not stipulated in the addendum you can start getting used to the new extension. Ive seen the plans, its quite innovative and i (and many others in my dept.) would do the same if given the chance. Kudos and good luck.”
This comment was made by the next door neighbor:”the entire rear of building is illegal as they do not have the FLOOR AREA to do it. The top so called DORMER is not allowed in Quality Housing R6B. Parking is not allowed either as the lot is too narrow. On Dean St side at 40ft high a 15ft set back is required, only a bulkhead is allowed.
DOB is allowing this we wonder why???
All other in this block are in compliance how come this one is not???”
Here’s my take: This is right next to the newswalk building and the architect Joel was very creative in the way he worded the scope of work. Joel and his partner Sal both of whom used to live at 475 dean before they sold out to Ratner are also trying to get a fire hydrant moved and add a curb cut so they can park their cars under this addition and make the neighborhood lose a couple of parking spots on a block which needs the spaces. This addition is also built smack up against the neighbors yard and is destroying the open space and sunlight of the neighbors next door. Instead of leaving a nice backyard they built out the full propoerty line to get this outdoor garage space. The balconies on the front of the building also are illegal but the DOB just blew this off. In fact at a meeting with Coucilwoman Tish James and A concerned neighbor the Brooklyn DOB commisioner talked down to them like they didn’t know what they were talking about and managed to interpert the plans to somehow make it all legal.
oh is someone mad because they fucked up their zoning analysis. Why don’t you post it for us to see?
go study how to do zoning analysis before you open your mouth and show us how stupid you are guys.
If this is a corner lot (looks like it on gmap) then they can go 80% coverage under the new R6B. Seems more than that, though.
Corners only, though.
Here’s an even better one…we have a Developers Group project on 20th St (btwn 5th/6th Aves) in our ‘nabe. The building is SO BIG (designed by our buddy Mr. S and build by the fine folks at Cyberstruct…yes, that’s the actual name) that the DOB is making the developer buy air rights in order to remedy the FAR issue. Shit, don’t take any of the building down and fine his ass, let him spend more $$ and get away with it.
I bring this up since it seems it’s an identical situation to this building in ref to Anon 10:43am’s post.
So, methinks that some air rights will be bought from adjacent properties in order to remedy this new issue. Any idea of the architecture firm?