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February 17, 2006

Brooklyn Spared Another 20 Feet of Scarano

minerva
In a decision that will have everyone (except maybe Iceberg) cheering, CB7 has denied developer Chaim Nussencweig and architect Robert Scarano the right to build up to 70 feet at 614 7th Avenue, rejecting their claim that the building foundation had been laid--and the project should therefore be vested--before the neighborhood's downzoning. As a result, the dynamic duo will be restricted to a mere 50 feet; what's more, because of a recent agreement with the Green-wood Cemetery, the building will also have to be set back in places to preserve Minerva's view of the Statue of Liberty. Of course, whether the development team keeps their word is a whole 'nuther matter.
Cemetery Shuffle [The Real Estate]
Pyrrhic Victory for Minerva [Brownstoner]




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:25 AM | Comments (17)
Categories: Development

Comments

I'm not cheering. I'm so sick of looking at that conceited green bitch.

Posted by: Minerva at February 17, 2006 9:47 AM

Sorry to nit-pick, but it's cemetery! Three Es.

Posted by: Anon at February 17, 2006 9:51 AM

"So this is how liberty dies - to thunderous applause."

Believe me, I'm not exactly losing sleep over this, but somewhere there are real people who are going to have to take a loss, unless they somehow overturn this intervention.

Brooklyn, prepare to unload your tired, poor and huddled lower-incomed masses who will soon be outpriced.

Posted by: iceberg at February 17, 2006 9:56 AM

Of curse I am cheering, who is not? WE SAVED THIS CITY OF THIS EVIL ARCHI-DEVELOPER!!!!!!!!!
We should celebrate BIG TIME!!! How about to throw a huge party and invite over everybody who shared with us those bitter days, while we were all threatened by this terrorist Neucenzweig, I mean isn't this greeeeeat, WE ARE FREE!!!
We finely showed the world that this is a free country, where nobody can do with his property whatever he wants. And no one should dare to block ANY view from any statue in any part of the world.
Now we can retire the police from Fort Greene, cause we are safe after all, we can keep our doors open at night etc. this is so good, I mean do you hear me? We are free!!!!!!!

Posted by: Brooklynite at February 17, 2006 9:59 AM

Wasn't the setback offered in exchange for getting to build higher? If so, what word is there left to keep?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 17, 2006 10:08 AM

Can't Scarano still appeal to the Board of Appeals and Standards, who then have the final call?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 17, 2006 10:17 AM

Um, guys, the Community Board vote is strictly advisory. They do not make the final decision. Community boards almost always vote against any new development (whether 2 or 20 floors) so this is hardly newsworthy or unexpected.

Posted by: Crawford at February 17, 2006 10:20 AM

looks like some won't be happy until Minerva's at the bottom of the east river!

Posted by: Anonymous at February 17, 2006 10:31 AM

Something is missing here. The Community Board does not decide if a foundation has been set in a timely fashion. That is a Department of Buildings issue. And if it was built in time, then the building is grandfathered-in under the old zoning.

If the foundation was not built in time (per DoB) and there is an applicaiton for a variance, the CB can advise the Borough President and the Department of City Planning on whether to grant a variance and allow a taller building than the new zoning would allow. The City Council would make the final determination.

Does anyone know what the status of the foundation or any application is here?

Posted by: bored at work at February 17, 2006 10:35 AM

Crawford said the most important words. The drama of the anti-development crowd never ceases to entertain. Two statues staring at one another? Yeeesh.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 17, 2006 10:37 AM

Yes, brownstoner has it half right. CB7 voted no, unanimously I might add, but they are advisory. They voted no to vesting on all 7 properties they had public hearings for. Besides the incomplete foundations, which is reason enough to say NO, the community reported repeated and blatant illegal work done on all 7 sites: many DOB, ECB and SWO's issued. So the rush to beat the clock was done in dubious fashion. No surprises here.

Green-Wood Cemetery has a solid deal, regardless of how the BSA votes, hopefully the view will be preserved. Vesting or non-vesting, Green-Wood, the developer and DOB will determine that scope.

But the BSA is not about the vista.

I encourage anyone who can make it to join the Community Board and the community at the BSA hearing that will hear the cases of 6 of the 7 properties, including 614 7th Ave (Minerva building). The date is Wed., March 29, 10:00 AM. The BSA will be holding the hearing at their offices, 40 Rector Street, 6th floor hearing room, 6E. If you plan to give testimony, for or against (it's a free country), you need to sign in at 10:00 AM and must have photo ID to get in the building.

I know I will see many of my neighbors there who will give testimony against the properties. I will not be surprised to NOT see the folks who regularly post anti-contextual development rants on this and other blogs at the hearing. Put you $$ where your mouth is.

Ultimately the BSA will decide. The developers have hired some high profile attorneys, but we have strong cases against all 7 properties. Time and testimony will tell.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at February 17, 2006 12:19 PM

Minerva, you make me laugh! You waited 100 years to say anything, but it was a doozy! As for two statues staring at one another--walk around Greenwood Cemetery. Visit Minerva. It's a true Brooklyn experience and has been for a very long time. It's this space, these vistas, this constant discoverability that has always made Brooklyn a place apart.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 17, 2006 12:19 PM

BTW, anon 10:37AM, last time I checked, none of my neighbors, our community groups, our community board, nor myself is anti-development. Just keep it contextual. You can still make a buck, provide housing and add to the community. Do it safely and in scale with the surroundings (and I don't live in brownstone Brooklyn). Ultimately be a "good neighbor." Track record has proven otherwise...

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at February 17, 2006 12:23 PM

Lostibbrooklyn, can you tell us which buildings (the address) are going to the BSA?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 17, 2006 2:52 PM

Lostinbrooklyn, can you tell us which buildings (the address) are going to the BSA?

Posted by: Anonymous at February 17, 2006 3:03 PM

Anon 3:03pm here's the properties. Not sure if the calendar on the BSA website has been updated, yet...

BSA Special Hearing on 614 7th Ave., 182 15th St., 422 Prospect. Ave., 245 16th St., 639 6th Ave. and 400 15th St. (Non-vested Properties)

Info will be updated regularly on the South Park Slope Community Group website: http://www.southsouthslope.com/

If you need more specifics, e-mail me directly.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at February 17, 2006 3:20 PM

I don't think the community board vetoes anything, they merely advise the BSA. It is the BSA that rules on this matter.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 18, 2006 3:39 PM

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