Landmarks and backyard building

Does it violate the Landmarks code to build a house on stilts in your backyard?  Over at 97 St. Marks Ave, they’ve built an entire cottage on stilts, complete with a deck, rising up about 25 feet off the ground. Anyone know if this is legal?

stmarksave

in Landmarks 14 years and 1 month ago

8

Please log in, in order to post replies!

8 replies

Newest Oldest

NeoGrec | 14 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5216 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4964 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1741"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "NeoGrec"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BOvBZSSoDDccMCffw1igzkiT0t5s1D."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "neogrec"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "rparr@randomhouse.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(36) "http:///forums/users/grandarmyredux/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:46:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "NeoGrec"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1741)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

As the poster above indicates, LPC does indeed have jurisdiction over the backyard. This sounds like a possible violation so call 311 and/or LPC. I believe the owners of this house are the same ones who went through a lengthy battle with the city trying to convert the front half of their garden floor into a garage which would have also required the loss of the original iron fence and a street tree. Fortunately they were not able to move forward with this plan. Neighbors also believe they are running an illegal hotel/hostel out of the house! You could also report the situation to the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council. Go to their website at phndc.org and submit a comment. They have relationships with LPC and other city agencies.

m926bk | 14 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5215 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4983 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "28266"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "m926bk"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "megan"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "gymmeg23@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/m926bk/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:35:07"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "megan"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(28266)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The LPC reviews all kinds of things that do not require a DOB permit (like new windows and doors in existing openings).  In general, changes that are exterior (even in the back) and above and beyond normal repair require a review and LPC permit.  If you think this wasn’t reviewed, you could call the LPC violations department.

gardenchill | 14 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4957 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5217 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "23267"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "gardenchill"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BxLXGmgLIjZmMBGhTRgeyLyrhQDZpf0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "gardenchill"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "yobyarster@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/lilacgirl/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:47:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "gardenchill"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(23267)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

my husband built a tree house for the owner many years ago. maybe the new owner added a deck to it. so, post a pic and i’ll know for sure.

brooklynhome | 14 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5216 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5218 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "39397"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "brooklynhome"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "brooklynhome"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(28) "suzanne.pettypiece@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "/forums/users/brooklynhome/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2009-10-20 18:16:59"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "brooklynhome"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(39397)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I was in that backyard several years ago and its a play structure that is about 10′ off the ground that was built by a previous owner.  It is sound and totally cool.

jockdeboeraia | 14 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5215 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5219 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "40876"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTfkV3DGGseot8oNyuG6kVhsNhUD2n1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jdeboer@jockdeboer.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/deboerarchitects/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "VK4zWrfWbTPHLfSSlGZI"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(40876)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Unless the guy is a engineer, I would guess it is unsound. Most decks I see that were not designed and permited are unsound too. Not properly braced the thing will fall over. Sheds have a height limit, of which this thing is wall over.

pigthree | 14 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4957 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5220 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

jock, how do you know from the post that it is not structurally sound? Sheds are legal, and don’t require a permit.  The 25′ is beyond shed specs though

jockdeboeraia | 14 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5216 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5221 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "40876"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTfkV3DGGseot8oNyuG6kVhsNhUD2n1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jdeboer@jockdeboer.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/deboerarchitects/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "VK4zWrfWbTPHLfSSlGZI"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(40876)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If it can be seen from the street, yes. I would guess they did not pull a dob permit for it as it sounds like it is illegal. Sounds like a fort for a kid. A good way to kill your kid though.

gardenchill | 14 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5215 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5222 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "23267"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "gardenchill"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BxLXGmgLIjZmMBGhTRgeyLyrhQDZpf0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "gardenchill"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "yobyarster@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/lilacgirl/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:47:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "gardenchill"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(23267)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

sounds very cool. can you post a photo?