Stringer explains Dept. of Buildings response

Dear Neighbor:

Today I write with good news. We are finally seeing progress in our long fight against illegal development at Park West Village.

As many of you are aware, last July 27, 2007 I sent a letter to the Department of Buildings (DOB) questioning the legality of the proposed development on Park West Village, known as 808 Columbus Avenue. The challenge was four fold:

• Elements of the plan restricting access to open space makes the building's density illegal;
• Existing parking spaces have been moved into the planned new structure without the required public review;
• Curb cuts have been moved without city planning approval - adding dangerous driveways to a block where both a school and a medical center are located; and
• Finally, on a street that is clearly zoned for local retail, space is being built for the largest Whole Foods store in the entire country - 57,000 square feet. This is clearly not local retail and will have traffic impacts on the nearby school and health center.
  

On October 24, 2007, DOB issued a letter disagreeing with my assessment. I carefully reviewed that letter and believed that I was still correct. I responded with a letter stating so and requesting a final determination from DOB.

Today I received a letter from DOB conceding that they lacked sufficient information to ensure that the proposed parking garage and curb cuts for 808 Columbus Avenue are in compliance with zoning law. However, DOB maintains that the access to open space and size of the planned retail establishment conform to zoning code. As a result of this new determination, DOB has given the developer 10 days to prove that their plans are compliant with zoning law or their building permits will be revoked.

DOB's actions are a step in the right direction. While I disagree with DOB's continued rejection of my concerns around access to open space and the permissible size of planned retail, I am hopeful that the lawsuit filed by Westsiders for Public Participation will successfully continue the fight at the Board of Standards and Appeals.

Yours sincerely,

Scott M. Stringer
Manhattan Borough President