Representative Matters

Century 21, 22 Cortlandt Street, Manhattan
In September 2011, Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in obtaining a text amendment to the Special Lower Manhattan District regulations of the Zoning Resolution, creating Section 91-53 (Waiver of Requirements for Accessory Off-Street Loading Berths), which permits the Chair of the City Planning Commission to waive, by certification, the loading berth regulations for certain commercial buildings provided specific conditions are met.

Broad Channel VFD, 305 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel, Queens
In November 2011, Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit and waterfront certification from the Department of City Planning, allowing the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department to construct a much-needed new firehouse in a residential district in Broad Channel, Queens. The special permit and waterfront certifications were obtained in an extremely expedited timeframe, with ULURP completed and final approvals obtained four months after applications were filed with the Department of City Planning.

SoHo Property, Manhattan
In February 2011, Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was retained by the prospective purchaser of a building on Bond Street in SoHo. The purchaser needed to perform due diligence concerning the zoning for the property, and specifically, the procedure required converting the upper floors to residential use, and use of the ground floor for retail use. The zoning for the property is unique, and that factor, along with the location of the property within a historic district, required extensive knowledge of the land use regulations in effect for this property.

41 & 43 Murray Street, Manhattan
In February 2011, Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was retained to represent an owner of property on Murray Street in downtown Manhattan, who was entering into a light and air easement with an adjacent property. Required documents included a declaration of zoning lot restrictions, a zoning lot agreement, and related documents, including waiver required to merge the subject zoning lots.

Downstate Biotechnology Incubator, 760 Parkside Avenue, Brooklyn
In June 2011, Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a variance from the BSA to permit the enlargement of the Downstate Advanced Biotechnology Incubator, an existing biotechnology research facility operated by SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. The application included waivers of floor area, height and setback and parking requirements to increase the size of the facility to approximately 50,000 sq. ft. This facility is one of only a few of its kind in New York, and provides specialized laboratory space for start-up biotechnology research companies, in accordance with the Bloomberg administration's current bioscience initiative.

Howard Avenue Rezoning, 546 Howard Avenue, Brooklyn
In April 2011, Sheldon Lobel, P.C., was successful in securing a zoning map amendment, rezoning a block bounded by Howard Avenue, Eastern Parkway Extension and Pitkin Avenue, in the Ocean Hill area of Brooklyn, from an existing C8-2 zoning district to an R6A/C2-4 zoning district, facilitating redevelopment of this underdeveloped block with viable commercial and residential buildings. Before the rezoning, new residential uses were not permitted as-of right.

101 Park Avenue, New York, New York
Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission in the early 1980s that allowed for the construction of this forty-nine story world-renowned skyscraper. The building was designed by the architectural firm of Eli Attia and Associates.
http://www.101park.com/

106 Mott Street, New York, New York
Located at the historic intersection of Mott and Hester Streets in the heart of Little Italy. Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received a Special Permit from the City Planning Commission to allow an attended public parking garage to exist within a proposed eight-story mixed-use development within the Special Little Italy District. In addition, the firm obtained authorizations required within the Special Little Italy District to enable this development. These approvals allowed the developer to construct a building that will greatly enhance the neighborhood aesthetically and economically.

328 Spring Street, New York, New York
Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the construction of the Urban Glass House, eleven stories of condominium units designed by the renowned architectural firm of Philip Johnson / Alan Ritchie Architects, and developed by Antonio Nino Vendome. The variance was granted by the Board of Standards and Appeals to allow a mixed-use residential development in a manufacturing district.

100 Broadway, New York, New York
Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in amending the text of the Lower Manhattan Special District section of the Zoning Resolution. The amendment allowed for signage on New York City designated landmark buildings along Broadway within the Special District. This process allowed for installation of signs for a new retail store.

Automotive Service Stations, Citywide
Sheldon Lobel, P.C. has obtained over fifty approvals for variances and special permits for auto service stations from the Board of Standards and Appeals. These actions have allowed for the reconstruction and enlargement of gasoline service stations and addition of accessory convenience stores at sites throughout New York City.

Bronx Preparatory Charter School, 3872 Third Avenue, Bronx, New York
The firm obtained a variance and special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit construction of this charter school serving hundreds of students located in the nation's poorest congressional district. The firm obtained permission for the establishment of the middle/high school in a manufacturing district and obtained waivers from certain bulk requirements under the Zoning Resolution.

Brooklyn Private Home Enlargements
The firm successfully worked with the Department of City Planning to secure an amendment to the New York City Zoning Resolution in 2000, creating a special permit for the enlargement of single and two-family detached and semi-detached residences in specific parts of Brooklyn. Understanding the demands resulting from growth in large families, Sheldon Lobel, P.C. recognized the need for the enlargement of private homes, and worked to change the law. Our firm regularly obtains these special permits for clients to expand their homes and has handled over seventy special permits pertaining to this section of the Zoning Resolution.

Congregation Knesseth Bais Yaakov, Avenue J, Brooklyn, New York
Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained zoning variances to permit the construction of a synagogue in violation of bulk requirements. Under the zoning resolution, the permitted construction would not have been sufficient to meet the needs of the growing congregation. Through the firm's efforts, a bigger synagogue was allowed as we demonstrated to the Board of Standards and Appeals that the synagogue had a fundamental need for additional program space.

The Diamond Building, 580 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
Located in the heart of the diamond district on Fifth Avenue and 47th Street, the building serves as the Diamond Exchange. When the building was occupied at full capacity, it became necessary to add additional elevator services. Although zoning issues prevented the elevator installation, the firm filed an application at the Board of Standards and Appeals and obtained necessary approvals. When a neighboring property owner filed a court challenge to the approval, Sheldon Lobel, P.C., successfully defended the Article 78 proceeding in the Supreme Court.

Millenium Hilton Hotel, 55 Church Street, New York, New York
Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was involved in a number of zoning and landmark issues to allow construction of this fifty story hotel. The firm guided the developer, H.J. Kalikow, through a myriad of regulatory issues, a transfer of development rights, and various zoning lot issues. The firm's efforts proved fruitful when final approval was given by City agencies and the building was constructed.

New York Presbyterian Church, 45-20 48th Street, Sunnyside, New York
The firm obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission to completely transform an existing manufacturing building within a manufacturing zone into a modern church. Construction was completed in 1999. The building was previously an 88,000 square-foot laundry factory. The building was completely renovated to include a 2,500 seat sanctuary, as well as eighty classrooms, a day care center, and numerous other uses. The facility has been extolled in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Time Magazine, the New Yorker and Architecture Magazine.