
As seen above, the building is presently six stories. It has filed an application to receive an additional 8.
8 + 6 = 14 stories. This will make it about as tall as nearby Turner Towers, 135 Eastern Parkway. I believe this property is zoned for that height, so no variance or special permissions will be required.
Comments
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=4&passjobnumber=320825862&passdocnumber=01&restore=1
The application was apparently initially submitted incomplete, but now the DOB is reviewing it. As stated by my friend above, if this plan is approved, several of the nearby buildings could "grow taller".
However, I can add that there is now a drilling truck exploring the front garden area of 85 Eastern Parkway.
Presumably, the DOB requires this before they grant approval for projects. The drill determines where bedrock begins and therefore how many stories the existing foundation could support?
The flyer encourages people to call DOB.
DOB isn't going to be able to approve or disapprove this project based on public opinion.
Just my $.02. Don't want to start a gentrification debate.
However, this may stem from the DOB requiring the building to remedy existing violations before it will review and approve a major addition.
These conditions are presently being worked on, and time will tell whether:
-they are significant enough to free the building from rent stabilization rules.
-the owner will increase the size of the building under an As Of Right process.
I thought I read somewhere on Brooklynian that the city was requiring some kinds of boring tests to check on soil stability. Is it being done borough wide, or just when a property owner requests it?
BTW, while the plans to put an additional 8 stories on top of 85 Eastern Parkway appear to be on hold, there is a similar project occurring on the Upper West Side.
-rent stabilized building.
-occupied
-etc
http://www.westsidespirit.com/local-news/20150805/over-their-heads
This could get very interesting, 85 Eastern Parkway.
While this landlord is no longer pursuing their plan to construct an additional 8 stories, they are continuing to get rid of the stabilized tenants.
Through a combination of buy outs and other means, the landlord has no vacated and renovated enough units that he has placed a banner midway up the façade that announces:
"Luxury Units for Rent. Immediate Availability"
I'll post a picture if I get a chance.
It seems he is subdividing the units as well: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20151223/prospect-heights/landlord-illegally-subdividing-units-at-prospect-heights-building-tenants
...possibly illegally.
Some predict this kind of thing will slow down in rent stabilized building in 2016: http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/12/23/what-to-watch-out-for-in-brooklyns-multifamily-market/
To my knowledge, this landlord has not offered the existing tenants buyouts.
Instead, "his" strategy seems to be to renovate and subdivide apartments that become vacant in a manner that is disruptive and illegal.
...rumors are that the above vacate order stemmed from completing renovations on 1D and 1DA that were not only outside of those stipulated by the existing work permits, but also completed during prohibited hours: Tenants reportedly regularly heard construction until midnight.
However, it took DOB until after the unit was completed and rented to secure a Vacate Order, and void the other permits issued on the site.
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/OverviewForComplaintServlet?requestid=5&vlcompdetlkey=0001968508
Back at the beginning of 2014, long-time tenants moved out of rent-stabilized apartment 1D. Rather than rent it out again, advisors talked the owner into turning it into two miniature apartments. The concept they touted: claim rent stabilization was ended because the apartments are new, and charge a fortune in rent. That the kitchens are in the living room, and some of the bedrooms are barely eight feet wide was apparently not considered relevant.
That was the idea, and so the owner spent a very tidy sum to gut the apartment, frame out two miniaturized apartments, and redo the plumbing.
Then reality appeared: the architect didn't think out the plans, and a number of features won't pass inspection by the DOB [Department of Buildings]. At all. Six months later the apartment stands unfinished [and unrented]. The prospects for its future are equally dim, as some of the problems in the design [i.e. proper egress et al] have no obvious solution. And sitting in the wings are all the violations of the Multiple Dwelling Law that have yet to be cited.
Hanging over everything is the basic legality of claiming that the space has been destabilized, an unresolved legal issue that begs years of litigation.
To add insult to injury, the architect and his contractor tried to cut corners with the DOB [permits and such], and as a result, have incurred two separate Stop Work orders, resulting in fines of $5000 each.
In the meantime, 1D sits empty, the rent disappearing, month by month.
Here is what DOB has written about 1D:
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/OverviewForComplaintServlet?requestid=8&vlcompdetlkey=0001971265
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/ECBQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=8&ecbin=35161527L
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/ECBQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=8&ecbin=35161528N
The DOB is also not pleased about what it has seen in 4D:
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/ECBQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=8&ecbin=35114256R
Or, 2C:
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/OverviewForComplaintServlet?requestid=8&vlcompdetlkey=0001918520
The DOB site does not list the fines due yet, but it would surprise me if they end up being over $20k.
...the ALJ actually gets to decide such things.