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Clearly taken in much better weather, these pictures confirm that the “second story question” for 3512 Quentin Road has been answered – apparently it is allowed.  All violations for this site has been resolved and building is going forth as planned.  According to Department of Finance data, this one-story building is already at its maximum allowable floor area – so how an extra story of 5,700 square feet can be permitted is beyond me.  Money talks, I guess. 

If you think the current traffic and congestion on Quentin Road is bad, take a walk/drive there now to see all the construction/cement trucks blocking the avenue.

For past posts on this development: UPDATE: 3512 Quentin Road Adds Second Story and Development Watch: 3512 Quentin Road (Herr’s).

To follow up our original post about this pending development on Quentin Road and East 36th Street (former site of Herr’s), it appears that beams have been erected in order to construct an additional story to this 8,500 SF one-story building.  Approved on November 18, 2009, the application proposes to convert the existing cellar and first floor to offices and to erect a new second floor. 

In November, MarineParker reported that these plans were originally disapproved by the Department of Buildings.  I surmised that the addition of a second story violates the site’s allowable FAR (the site in fact is currently at 1.0 FAR – the maximum for an R3-2/C1-2 district), as referenced on the Department of City Planning’s mapping tool.  However, this application has been approved for a second story of 5,077 SF, which will most likely be pitched or set back to allow for the sky exposure plane.  Additionally, if one looks to the adjacent one-story building on the corner of Quentin Road and East 35th Street, there is an additional second story set back from the street that is not completely visible from the street.  Perhaps this addition would resemble its neighbor.

Furthermore, the building permit states that this site will be used for an “Ambulatory Diagnostic and Healthcare Treatment Facility,” with the building increasing from 14 to 29 feet high, over twice its height. 

Perhaps Councilman Fidler, Marine Park Civic Association or Community Board 18 should become involved in someway?

Ongoing construction of the Lowe’s Store on Avenue U (adjacent to Kings Plaza) has resulted in a gargantuan concrete wall along Avenue U.  This fortress-like barrier is not only ugly, but poorly positioned as it leaves little sidewalk space along Avenue U.  Additionally, this dense street wall obstructs views and could encourage dangerous behavior.  In the world of successful “place-making” this design fails – desolate as the street is late at night, now it is even more so.

According to the Department of Buildings, a “Partial Stop Work Order” exists on this site since the “work does not conform to approved site safety plans.”  The site currently has 11 open violations.

I don’t understand how this site plan was approved by DOB with the giant concrete wall abutting Avenue U.  It does not appear that there is a set-back, which is very hard to imagine not having along Avenue U.  The wall doesn’t appear to be temporary either. 

Does anyone have further information on this?

The former site of Herr’s, on the corner of Quentin Road and East 36^th Street, is currently enveloped in scaffolding, with development imminent.  According to the Department of Buildings, the current plan exam which proposed the addition of a second story and the raising of the first floor five feet above sidewalk level has been disapproved.  This is mainly because the current building is built to its maximum, thus any new building could not exceed its current size.  Much to the chagrin of the greedy architect/owner, the building can not be enlarged to gargantuan proportions.

Additionally, the site has pending violations as the sidewalk shed erected doesn’t meet code specifications due to missing bracing and inoperable lights.  A night time visit to the site confirms that this has been partially rectified as lights have been installed and are operable.  Additionally, the architect/owner has also received a violation for posting incorrect information and neglecting to publicly display DOB permits.  A hearing date for this violation is scheduled for November 9, 2009.

As this development is on a large corner lot located on a heavily trafficked avenue, neighbors and concerned parties should be cognizant of what is to be built there.  Quentin Road currently accomodates much traffic due to the supermarkets across the street from one another and P.S. 222.  Additionally, as this site has pending violations, work has been halted by law.  If you see work occurring at this site, please contact MarineParker immediately.