Bump Out addition possible?

Hi All,

Does anyone have experience doing a bump out on an LPC designated block in the Village? I’m looking at purchasing a townhouse and trying to understand one particular nuance about bump out additions. The house is on a landmarked block that hasn’t had many significant renovations – certainly not of this type. It’s a 22 x 100 lot, with a house that is only 45 deep. There is signficant unused FAR. There is not a single building on this block with a bump out. There is one rooftop addition, and one other that got permitted but was not built.

I’ve spoken briefly with two architects who have worked on the block who believe a bump out would be possible (from an LPC standpoint) but when I read the code book, there is a mention of context – “A majority of buildings of a similar type in a block must have an existing rear yard addition or extension.” Which would seem to prohibit us from adding on. How iron-clad is this context rule? This would not be visible from any publicly traveled way, but like I mentioned, context is against us here.

Many thanks

ykwxaczjpn

in General Discussion 3 years and 7 months ago

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resident2 | 3 years and 7 months ago

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You should also seriously consider the huge increase in Real Estate taxes, such an extension will trigger.

jimhillra | 3 years and 7 months ago

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I think what you’re reading is a description of what can be readily approved at staff level. They are allowed to approve a rear extension if more than 50% of the buildings on the block already have one. If not, that doesn’t mean it cannot be approved. It just means that you have to present to the community board and to the LPC commissioners, who very well may approve the addition.

In this case, the things that would make it less likely for the commissioners to approve are whether or not you’re changing the windows at the top story of the rear elevation, and if there is a sightline into the interior of the block, say between buildings, that would make your extension visible from the street or sidewalk on the opposite side of the block.

We’ve done a number of these in Brooklyn, and I’d be happy to speak with you about your project or our experiences with the projects we’ve done.

ykwxaczjpn | 3 years and 7 months ago

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Sorry. I guess I didn’t explain that well. About 50 feet of back yard so there’s plenty of space within setbacks. I’m just concerned about the context rule.

Guest User | 3 years and 7 months ago

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How deep is the back yard?