SOHO ALLIANCE SAYS STOP YET ANOTHER 150-FT BUILDING IN SOHO.

Volunteer community organization, the SoHo Alliance, has sent out an advisory about

a 9-story office building that’s under consideration for 47 Grand St., on the southwest corner of Grand St. and West Broadway.  The proposed development would be the tallest in central SoHo and would need special variance permits to not violate current zoning laws.

 

The Bulk Variance request would ask for exception to the amount of “bulk” that a normal building is aloud to use under SoHo zoning laws, exceeding it by 55%.  In addition, the zoning requires a 85-ft. setback for buildings of this height.  The proposed building would rise 135-ft. straight up without a setback at all, and then continue to rise to 151-ft. These requests are without precedent, and could have a significant impact on the community and small businesses.

 

In addition, the developers would require a Use Variance to permit retail/restaurant usage, something the neighborhood also opposes.

 

The SoHo Alliance and fellow opponents believe the building threatens the fabric of SoHo’s historic neighborhood, by unraveling the architectural integrity that made it so appealing in the first place.  Such buildings, especially without setbacks derogate the aesthetic of the neighborhood and cheapen its significant value.

 

Community Board #2 opposed both the 55% bulk increase and the request for streetwall height variances, and will be present at the meeting with the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) next Tuesday when this hearing goes before them.

 

Prior to the hearing before the BSA opponents of the new building are encouraged to gather at the SoHo Grand on Monday to discuss opposition strategy and to prepare for the hearing.  A noted zoning lawyer will be in attendance to educate and advise those present.

 

Tuesday, March 24^th at 1:30 PM

40 Rector St., west of Greenich St. near Trinity Church

           

Monday, March 23^rd, 6:30 PM

310 West Broadway, Between Grand and Canal Sts.

           

For more information contact the SoHo Alliance at 212.353.8466 or email them at info@sohoalliance.org.