Essentially the entire northern side of Avenue U between Hendrickson Street and Flatbush Avenue is for sale/for rent (with the exception of the the Verizon dealer).  Is this a prime opportunity for useful stores/shops to come to the neighborhood or just more of the same type of useless stores that grace most of Flatbush Avenue?

Mom and Pop Free WI-FI cafe/bakery, anyone?

 ”We spoke with [a contact] at the Department of Buildings who said that the lot is zoned R3-2, so maximum building height is 35 ft.  Plans were submitted for a 2-story ambulatory health facility, but the plans were disapproved. So, no construction can take place until additional plans are filed and approved. If anyone sees construction at that site, they should please call our office immediately.”

If anyone sees construction taking place at this site, please call Councilman Fidler’s Office at 718-241-9330.

Construction Site at Hendrickson Street and Avenue P

After the existing house was demolished earlier this year, the development slated for the corner lot at Hendrickson Street and Avenue P seems to be underway.  According to the Department of Buildings, the most recent plan (dated August 26, 2009) submitted by applicant/architect Sandor Weiss of Gelu Durus Musica, amends the original plans which proposed a “commercial building” with 12 enclosed parking spaces.  The current plan has been amended to increase construction floor area (from 4,883 SF to5,330 SF), alter the building layout and the building’s use has now changed to “Unknown.”

Based on this information, it is highly likely that this development will be a community facility (encompassing religious, educational, healthcare or non-profit institutions).  Since this is an R3-2 residential district, commercial uses are not permitted and the 12 parking spaces are mandated for a community facility.  To see the site’s current actions/applications, click here.

The site currently has two open violations.  Curious as to the frequency of such violations, I decided to research other buildings built by this architect.  Much to my dismay, albeit not too surprised, Gelu Durus Musica has built three residential buildings in South Slope, all of which had a multitude of violations and complaints.  Brownstoner has tracked 357 15^th Street – in which the top stories of the building had to be removed because it did not conform to the current zoning.  Brownstoner also notes that Weiss was among DOB’s noted 2006 disciplinary actions and “fined and surrendered D-14 and professional certification privileges.” 

It is troubling when a publicly denounced architect, whose license was challenged by DOB, knocks down a house to construct something that will most likely be non-contextual to its surrounding neighborhood. Furthermore, a large construction site with open violations blights the neighborhood and its adjacent buildings.  As the development proceeds, MarineParker will be vigilant in tracking its progress as well as report and research any further problems.