South Park Slope Community Group

The owners of five non-vested South Park Slope properties stopped in their construction tracks by the passing of R6B zoning on November 16, 2005, have filed BZY forms to begin the process of taking their cases to the City of New York Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA).

245 16th St., 400 15th St., 639 Sixth Ave., 422 Prospect Ave. and 1638 Eighth Ave. were served Stop Work Orders by the Department of Buildings after their determination that the properties’ foundations were not complete on the day of rezoning.

639 6th Ave. (one of the five non-vested sites).

A BZY application must be filed within 30 days from the date that a property’s building permit has lapsed, which is the date that an amendment to the Zoning Resolution is voted into law by City Council. In the South Park Slope’s case, this date was November 16; hence, all BZY applications had to have been filed by property owners by December 16. The property owner’s attorney gives notice of a filing to the appropriate Community Board, which reviews the application, holds a public hearing and issues a recommendation to the Board of Standards and Appeals.

Community Board 7 has so far received notification of BZY filing on only these five properties.

A Community Board Hearing for three of these properties–400 15th St., 639 Sixth Ave. and 1638 Eighth Ave.–will be held on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2006, at 6:30pm at St. John-St. Matthew-Emmanuel Church, 238 Prospect Avenue (between 5th and 6th Aves.).

A second Community Board Hearing for the remaining two of these properties–245 16th St. and 422 Prospect Ave. –along with any new BZY filings will be held on TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2006 at Community Board 7, 4201 4th Ave. (corner of 43rd Street).

These hearings are open to the public and public testimony will be heard. Everyone is encouraged to attend, especially adjacent property owners, neighbors and all concerned about further irresponsible development in our community. Please tell your neighbors and anyone you know that may have been affected by the construction of these properties. Adjacent neighbors’ testimony is especially important!

For more info on the BZY Form and the Board of Standards and Appeals Process, click here to download a PDF document.