FIRM OBTAINS THREE FIRSTS!!
Our Firm is proud to announce that we received the following first-ever approvals from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals ("BSA").
1. FIRST APPROVAL OF A GARMENT CENTER VARIANCE
BSA approval of a variance to legalize the prior conversion of a manufacturing building located in the Garment Center District for office and commercial use (Use Group 6) - uses that are not permitted in the building under the Garment Center Special District regulations. This represents the first time a manufacturing building in the Garment Center Special District that was occupied by non-conforming non-manufacturing uses was permitted to maintain those non-conforming commercial uses.
2. FIRST MDL WAIVER FOR NEW ENLARGEMENT TO NON-FIREPROOF TENEMENT BUILDING
BSA approval of a one-story enlargement to each of four contiguous buildings in the East Village and waived a series of Multiple Dwelling Law ("MDL") requirements that would have prohibited these enlargements. This represents the first time a proposed new enlargement to an occupied non-fireproof tenement building was approved by the BSA without strict compliance with the MDL. The grant allowed the enlargements by approving alternative fire safety improvements that did not require replacement of combustible structural elements with fireproof elements.
3. FIRST MDL WAIVER FOR ENLARGEMENT OF A CONVERTED DWELLING
BSA approval of a penthouse enlargement to a converted dwelling (a multiple dwelling which was formerly a single family house) located in the Upper West Side Historic District and waived the MDL provision that prohibits any vertical enlargement of a converted dwelling. This represents the first time a converted dwelling was granted such waiver. The BSA approval also required obtaining the approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.