NEW YORK | 50 West 66 Street | 775 FT | 70 FLOORS

[Speculator]

So does anyone know what the developer plans? Wait this out or proceed with the original plan?

The building will block some of my view so I have mixed emotions (not a NIMBY).

[Prezrezc]

Hopefully Snøhetta & Co. don't pull an Amazon and get cold feet over a non-issue.

[NYguy]

Good to at least see some debate among CPC members about the new zoning...


• Video Link

[NYguy]

http://www.westsidespirit.com/local-...-st-tower-void

FDNY signs off on West 66th St. tower void
Design changes to building’s controversial mechanical void space assuage Fire Department safety concerns; developer must submit new plans to DOB for review




By Michael Garofalo
March 26, 2019

Extell Development’s planned condominium tower at 36 West 66th St. is a step closer to becoming the tallest structure on the Upper West Side after receiving approval from the New York City Fire Department for the large void space in the building’s middle section.

The Department of Buildings had notified the developer in January of its intent to revoke previously issued approvals for the project unless the developer could resolve objections regarding the 161-foot mechanical void on the building’s 18th floor, which the DOB noted is of a height “not customarily found in connection with residential uses.” Among the DOB’s requirements was written approval from FDNY regarding emergency access plans for the void space, which the developer has now received.

“We have approved plans because alterations to their design were made to improve safety in the event the Department would need to respond to a fire,” an FDNY spokesperson said.

Among the changes, the spokesperson said, were “corridors and space at every level in the void” for firefighters to operate and remove people in the event of a fire, as well as “access doors on every level in the void to assist with evacuation by elevators if necessary.” The plans approved by FDNY also include a new catwalk along the perimeter of the void’s upper level.

The proposed 775-foot tower has become a flashpoint in an ongoing debate over the development practice of artificially inflating building heights through the excessive use of mechanical void spaces, which do not count toward floor area calculations that govern maximum heights in many zoning districts.

The City Planning Commission is currently considering public input on a proposed zoning text amendment that would place new limits on the use of voids, but which some reformers believe does not go far enough in addressing the issue.

In order to move forward with the project at 36 West 66th St., the developer will now need to submit revised building plans to the DOB reflecting these changes and satisfying DOB’s other objections to the mechanical space. According to a DOB spokesperson, the developer has yet to file amended plans.

[chris08876]

This tower will rise, just like with 200 Amsterdam, it's just the process that takes a while. Lots of little things, that add up. Bureaucracy making life harder, but if one can persist, projects do happen.

[Prezrezc]

The more I lookat the axonometric (?) diagram of the void spaces, the more I now seriously wonder:

A. Why so much to begin with?
B. Why is around 80% of it located in the middle of the tower?
and
C. Are a few closeted wiseacres at Snøhetta trying to pull a bit of shenanigans for the sake of a taller building?

If all that mech space is needed, the goal here I would guess should be to parse it out more sensibly without diminishing the tower's height...Which, again, I'm guessing here is what the FDNY was after to begin with.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Prezrezc

The more I lookat the axonometric (?) diagram of the void spaces, the more I now seriously wonder:

A. Why so much to begin with?
B. Why is around 80% of it located in the middle of the tower?
and
C. Are a few closeted wiseacres at Snøhetta trying to pull a bit of shenanigans for the sake of a taller building?

If all that mech space is needed, the goal here I would guess should be to parse it out more sensibly without diminishing the tower's height...Which, again, I'm guessing here is what the FDNY was after to begin with.

The complaint of the critics was that the mechanical space pushes the height of the towers "artificially" higher, so they could get more units with better views (meaning higher prices for the developers). But suppose you removed all of the mechanical space, and cut the building down to 600 ft. Are we supposed to believe that they would be happy with that outcome? Hardly not.

The bottom line is that they are unhappy with any tall buildings, and will try to use any measure to stop taller buildings from being built. Mind you, Extell could build a thinner tower and go higher. If there were safety issues within the voids and those have been addressed, then there is no problem. They are building within what is legally allowed.





http://www.westsidespirit.com/local-...-tower-voids/1

[NYguy]

https://snohetta.com/projects/361-50-west-66th-street

[NYguy]

https://amp.gothamist.com/amp/articl...49b40001442a4e

City Greenlights Tallest UWS Tower After Developer Tweaks 'Void'


BY ELIZABETH KIM

In a sharp turn of events, Billionaires' Row developer Extell has been granted permission to proceed with building an Upper West Side residential skyscraper that is set to include a controversial height-boosting feature known as a “mechanical void.”

Following a review by the FDNY of a revised void design submitted by Extell, the DOB signed off on the plans last Thursday. The previous plans had called for the aforementioned 160-foot void, plus two additional 16-foot mechanical floors, for a total of 192 feet; the new void will measure 176 feet in height, but broken into two 64-foot mechanical spaces plus a 48-foot void.

A DOB spokesman issued the following statement, “Safety is our highest priority, for residents and first responders alike. DOB has approved amended plans for the building’s mechanical floors that satisfy safety-related objections and bring the project into compliance with the city’s Zoning Resolution.”

In addition to reallocating the void space so no individual floor will be over 64 feet tall, Extell created new access points where residents will be able to go from one emergency stairwell to the other, and added elevator stops to each floor to allow FDNY access.

Extell argued that the rules, which say that 60 percent of the total floor area of new developments should be no taller than 150 feet, still permit a slim tower of unlimited height.

“The question is what rules are we following?” said Sean Khorsandi, the executive director of Landmark West, one of the groups who have been fighting the Extell project. “The city is picking and choosing when to apply standards.”

Khorsandi said Landmark West is currently weighing its options. It can elect to revive an appeal it had filed before the Board of Standards and Appeals, which was put on hold when the DOB suspended the project for review.

Ironically, the City Planning Commission is set to vote today on an amendment that would require voids taller than 30 feet to count toward a developer’s allowable floor area, thus discouraging the expansion of voids. But since Extell has already been granted a building permit, the new rule is not expected to apply to 50 West 66th Street. George Janes, a New York City planning consultant, told Gothamist that a project with a foundation in place and a valid building permit is typically allowed to build under old law.

In a statement, City Councilmember Helen Rosenthal, who represents the Upper West Side, said: “I am deeply disappointed by the Department of Buildings’ decision regarding 50 W. 66th, but we always knew this was a possibility. More importantly, our community is completely resolved to fight on. For over two years, we’ve been pushing the developer, Extell, to be transparent about their plans. Despite initially filing plans for a 25-story building in 2016, they have now received approval for a 775-foot building which absolutely does not conform with the Special District where it is located.”

You would think these idiots who spend so much time fighting this would know how building filings work.

[Busy Bee]

I cannot for the life of understand why they just don't have the void occupied by lower priced units. Is there a total unit count they had to keep under allowed for the site? Seems like it would have made a hell lot more sense than this legal wrangling and controversy.

[DeSelby]

So only a 16 foot height cut (176 vs 192 foot void)? If so that’s great news for skyscraper buffs and a huge slap in the face for NIMBYs. I’m particularly glad that this tower is moving forward since it’s designed by one of my favorite firms, Snohetta. I hope they get more NYC commissions.

[chris08876]

I started getting nervous about this one given the shenanigans over at 200 Amsterdam, but glad its moving forward.

Another healthy addition to the building stock of the neighborhood!

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

I cannot for the life of understand why they just don't have the void occupied by lower priced units. Is there a total unit count they had to keep under allowed for the site? Seems like it would have made a hell lot more sense than this legal wrangling and controversy.

The lower priced units would still count as occupied floor area. So say if you had 10 units total at market rate, but decided to create 2 lower priced units, that would leave you with 8 market rate units. But with a tower of this size, not only would you get fewer higher priced units, they would be closer to the ground, presumably lowering prices again.

[chris08876]

Developer is seeking height boost on this to 795 ft for structure height. With elevation (AMSL), this will appear as 875 ft assuming 795 ft is approved by FAA.


Proposed Case for : 2019-AEA-1875-OE

Structure Details	   	Height and Elevation
Latitude (NAD 83):	40° 46' 22.09" N
Longitude (NAD 83):	73° 58' 48.87" W
Datum:	NAD 83
City:	New York
State:	NY
Nearest County:	New York
   	
 	
Proposed
Site Elevation:	
80
Structure Height:	
795
Total Height (AMSL):	
875

Also, as no floors are listed, per SLCE Architects, this will be: 547,906 sq. ft., 69 stories, 775 ft. tall, 127 units

But should change as FFA proposal requested which shouldn't be an issue to tack on 20 ft.


=============
1. https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external...8015347&row=11
2. https://www.slcearch.com/project/50-west-66th-street/

[chris08876]

City Approves 775-Foot Tower on 66th Street; Opponents ‘Resolved to Fight On’

The Department of Buildings (DOB) has approved Extell’s revised plans for a 775-foot residential skyscraper at 50 West 66th Street, saying they now comply with the New York City Zoning Resolution (ZR), the set of laws governing land use and development in the city.


The DOB’s decision follows last month’s FDNY approval of the new plans, which still use “mechanical voids” — large, unoccupied floors holding heating, cooling and other equipment — that enhance the building’s height, views and profitability.

On Tuesday, April 16th, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will hold a public hearing on a proposed text amendment to the ZR regarding voids, which have become a flashpoint in the citywide battle between developers seeking to build skyscrapers in residential areas like the Upper West Side, and some community groups, elected officials and residents, who decry their out-of-context height and lack of public policy justifications.

“Safety is our highest priority, for residents and first responders alike,” a DOB statement said. “DOB has approved amended plans for the building’s mechanical floors that satisfy safety-related objections and bring the project into compliance with the city’s Zoning Resolution.”

City Council Member Helen Rosenthal was “deeply disappointed” by the DOB’s decision. “More importantly, our community is completely resolved to fight on,” she wrote, in an email to WSR. “For over two years, we’ve been pushing the developer, Extell, to be transparent about their plans. Despite initially filing plans for a 25-story building in 2016, they have now received approval for a 775-foot building which absolutely does not conform with the Special District where it is located.

“What we are fighting for on the Upper West Side applies to every neighborhood in our city,” Rosenthal continued. “We are witnessing a fundamental failure of the Zoning Resolution, which is supposed to provide consistency and predictability for residents and local government — in addition to developers….The Zoning Resolution needs to be updated with a comprehensive approach to voids in all residential and commercial zones….”

State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal has introduced legislation to close loopholes in the Zoning Resolution at the state level.

================
https://www.westsiderag.com/2019/04/...ed-to-fight-on

[chris08876]

Another lawsuit. They should ban lawsuits, not towers.

= = = = = = =


Neighbors sue to block Extell’s UWS tower after city OKs amended plans

The back-and-forth over Extell Development’s 770-foot Upper West Side tower is now headed to court.

Weeks after the Department of Buildings renewed permits for the development at 50 West 66th Street, the City Club of New York — which nearly killed Barry Diller’s Pier 55 project— and several of the project’s neighbors have filed a lawsuit against the developer, seeking to halt construction due to alleged zoning violations.

“Plaintiffs need immediate relief because Defendants’ construction has reached a stage where arguments about vested rights and potential mootness are looming,” the lawsuit states. “Even where courts have ultimately found that a building violates zoning, they have proven reluctant to order demolition.”

The lawsuit alleges two major violations at the development. First, the building contains massive structural voids that allow Extell to build higher and pricier penthouses without adding residential space. Though current zoning rules do not contain any limitation on the height of a building’s mechanical floors, officials are looking to close this loophole by counting “unusually large” mechanical spaces toward a building’s height limit.

In January, the DOB announced its intent to revoke Extell’s permits if zoning issues were not addressed. It now appears that they have been, as far as the city is concerned.

===========
TRD

[Crawford]

I'm utterly shocked that wealthy NIMBYs continue to file absurd harassing lawsuits, one after the other.

Barnett should file amended plans to build even taller, just to troll these idiots.

[chris08876]

The entitlement with these UWS NIMBYS is astronomical. I hope the court throws this lawsuit out. Its a waste of time, like most lawsuits by folks who think the city only belongs to them. The a-holes are still fighting 200 Amsterdam on a side note which is u/c. Relentless they are.

[Crawford]

The FAA approved height on this tower is 795 ft., BTW:

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external...8015347&row=11

[chris08876]

Excellent! Glad they approved it.

I'm hoping down the line, on a side note, that the FAA revists the cap on LIC. With 9 Dekalb gaining financing, I really hope LIC is capitalized on to shift the power node from DoBro and distribute it evenly among those two nodes. Prime area for office given the resurgence of the area, and prime territory for market rate RES units.

Typically the FAA is quite reasonable. Even in a city like Miami if I could be allowed a tangent, they tend to be easy folks to work with so long as the studies are conducted, and in some cases, appeals. Its not a zero sum game where its just a flat out no. If only some of the borough presidents were like that, instead of just saying no no no all the time.