Does Contextual Rezoning Actually Save The Neighborhood?

From Aaron Brashear, Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Hts.
[email protected]

First the AIA’s questionable zoning text changes and now this…

Just in from DOB’s “My Community” service:

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/PropertyProfileOverviewServlet?boro=3&houseno=187&street=23rd+Street&go2=+GO+&requestid=0

Just in under the 100-150 ft. commercial overlay (need to confirm this with DCP) from 4th Avenue, R8A zoning.

And guess what?

Current Applicant of Record: Henry Radusky
Phone: 718-259-1100
Bricolage Designs
6321 New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219
Professional Title: RA License Number: 15029

It’s a 20X100′ lot with the following, very disconcerting job specs:

Building Dimension: No. Stories: 9
Street Frontage:
Height: 90 Dwelling Units: 7
Total Gross Area of Building: 11,795 Sq. Ft.
Fill: Office space on the ground floor, thus the bump in FAR for the overall building.

This is the first of the “WTF” buildings in the rezoned district. Another 9 story building on a 2 story block. Definite woes for the block, potential view killers for Green-Wood? I’d say “yes” to Green-Wood if they are able to scare the owners of the adjacent properties on 4th Ave, the 12 stories (let alone the folks on the adjacent blocks)! Maxing out the lot (no rear yard), due to the commercial overlay. So our boy Henry will be the author of TWO nine story buildings (I guess with the potential to beat out his old trophy) between 23rd and 22nd Sts.

Feeling more and more, ahem, politely screwed by the November 2005 rezoning each time we look around. Let’s put it this way. 23rd St. alone, since the rezoning has now SIX new condo developments btwn 4th Ave and 7th Ave (3 new ones on my block alone). Rezoning was supposedly to help CURB new “out-of-scale development.” Thanks DCP! I now have questionable feelings about a potential Sunset Park rezoning and it’s inevitable impact on that area…post rezoning.

Posted Under: Brooklyn, Enforcement, New Construction, Planning, South Park Slope

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