Zoning for Building Height

Double check your tall neighbors RE Tax assessment. Has it been added correctly since the expansion? It is amazing how many of these expansions get filed incorrectly and the Finance dept seems to miss the… mmmm I wonder how that happens? Once the tax bill is corrected it stops other neighbors from doing the same thing, unless they are selling them off as Condos, then it become a big white elephant because they cannot afford the taxes!

resident2

in General Discussion 2 years and 10 months ago

10

Please log in, in order to post replies!

10 replies

Newest Oldest

workisfun | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4915 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4927 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184143"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$hnv.j/crhn7RG.nsGO1eX.Q65deVjX8hSzKwgFlJuR8WiCptOt2gW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "joshsimilar@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184143)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

How do I go about finding the maximum height one is allowed to build on my block (and surrounding blocks)? I am in a row of 2-family homes and some properties are selling and building high, cutting off sunlight, etc.

vemrzhjcsfwirjod | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4916 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4917 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209565"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "vemrzhjcsfwirjod"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BAN/Y4c81tEPmc1JPUzcQfngQauVzE."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "vemrzhjcsfwirjod"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "bono5915@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-03 14:54:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(16) "vemrzhjcsfwirjod"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209565)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

ZoLA has links to zoning maps/zoning lookups in your neighborhood: https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/about

The NYC Planning site has the info on what’s allowed in each zoning district: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/zoning/districts-tools/residence-districts-r1-r10.page

workisfun | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4920 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4914 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184143"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$hnv.j/crhn7RG.nsGO1eX.Q65deVjX8hSzKwgFlJuR8WiCptOt2gW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "joshsimilar@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184143)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks very much. It looks like these lead me to the info I want, but interpretation is something else. Gotta dig in.

vemrzhjcsfwirjod | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4915 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4913 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209565"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "vemrzhjcsfwirjod"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BAN/Y4c81tEPmc1JPUzcQfngQauVzE."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "vemrzhjcsfwirjod"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "bono5915@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-03 14:54:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(16) "vemrzhjcsfwirjod"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209565)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’m definitely not an expert here, but:

Usually, brownstone districts are R6B zoning, which allows a base height up to 40ft, and a total height up to 50ft (the last 10ft would have to be set back from the “main” part of the building in that case).

For a comparison, existing 3 story (garden + 2) brownstones are ~30ft high, 4 story are 40-45ft high.

workisfun | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4914 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4916 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184143"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$hnv.j/crhn7RG.nsGO1eX.Q65deVjX8hSzKwgFlJuR8WiCptOt2gW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "joshsimilar@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184143)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It looks like I’m R6. I’m concerned that a neighbor may one day sell to a developer who hems me in between them and my neighbor to the other side who already looms large over us. [463E9E9F-752A-4842-AB2E-DF8D9D63AD25](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:4Bbh:463e9e9f752a4842ab2edf8d9d63ad25.jpeg.jpg) [10A756D3-F91F-45C7-B814-BA6AD96DD092](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:TzCT:10a756d3f91f45c7b814ba6ad96dd092.jpeg.jpg)

Guest User | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "195579"

that’s a lovely sketch of a capybara 🙂

Guest User | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "195579"

that’s a lovely sketch of a capybara 🙂

workisfun | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4873 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4863 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184143"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$hnv.j/crhn7RG.nsGO1eX.Q65deVjX8hSzKwgFlJuR8WiCptOt2gW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "joshsimilar@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184143)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks.

chemosphere | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4920 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4913 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180501"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bym7xqSisQdtaWFx8p2q7DWXNAtg0D/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "jg@jacobgarchik.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:09:44"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "chemosphere"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180501)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

R6 has no maximum height. It has a max FAR.
R6B has a max height. The letter suffix indicates that the CB did a rezoning at some point. Not every CB has.
My adjacent building is also slated for development. On the one hand, construction is going to be messy, noisy and disruptive, if they even manage to finish on time. On the other hand, the city needs housing, I only own my particular lot, if I wished to I could also sell to a developer, and once it’s over there will be a gut renovated brand new development next door, certain to raise my property values.
Unfortunately there is a widespread sentiment against development of this type and I think it is well-intentioned but misguided, especially in an environment of a severe housing shortage and many zoning restrictions.

workisfun | 2 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4863 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4888 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184143"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$hnv.j/crhn7RG.nsGO1eX.Q65deVjX8hSzKwgFlJuR8WiCptOt2gW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "joshsimilar@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184143)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I agree – the situation is complex. I was asking in relation to considering solar panels. I can’t make that investment, if one day a developer cuts off my remaining sun exposure. I’d be on the hook for two electricity bills. We’d love to save ourselves some money and do our part to care for the environment our kids inherit. But I guess the panels are out of the question.