Extension in Landmark district

My neighbor is constructing an extension at the rear of his Landmarked CH brownstone. He received an LPC permit for a one-story addition. Now that work has begun, it looks like this extension will project almost 20 ft back and take up the entire lot width. The lot is 2200sf and the building is just under 5000sf. Since we are in an R6b zone with a FAR of 2.0, aren’t our buildings ‘overbuilt’ already? If so how could he be approved for the additional square footage?

bagofbricks

in Construction 9 years and 6 months ago

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jcarch | 9 years and 6 months ago

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It is very unlikely that the DOB and LPC both approved an addition that is larger than is allowable. Are you including the neighbor’s cellar as part of his 5,000 s.f.? Cellar space generally doesn’t count as zoning floor area. You should be able to go the DOB’s website, go to your neighbor’s address, click on ‘filings’, and find the current filing. Click on the current filing, then click on ‘virtual job folder’ towards the top of the page. On the list that will appear, click on zoning diagram. You should see a pdf with a snapshot of how the zoning floor area is working. jcarch ???????? [James Cleary Architecture](http://www.jcarchitecture.com)

Arkady | 9 years and 6 months ago

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It’ll be difficult to fight a rearguard action but you should go to your Community Board & to Landmarks – the new construction might be in violation. There are cut & dried laws, though, against an extension’s going across the width of the lot so you may have hope for getting a modification – maybe the actual work isn’t in compliance w/ the permits.