Disreputable developers take note: disguising building-height violations is difficult to do
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A major downside to being a developer is the disreputable-by-association factor. Practically every community can point to at least one developer-led project that failed to live up to promises preceding construction and as a result, developers tend to be the lowest hanging fruit among local figures susceptible to criticism.
Reputable developers, feel free to blame the developer currently building The Nolitan, a boutique hotel rising in Manhattan’s Little Italy. It turns out that neighbors were correct in suspecting that the hotel was rising a bit too high. For unknown reasons, the developer was happy to ignore the historic district’s height restrictions by wedging in one floor too many.
Now, zoning codes are complex - particularly when they must be applied in New York City historic districts. But height restrictions are among the most fundamental - and explicit - regulations you can find. The evidence that results from violating height restrictions is also among the most easily spotted and difficult to rebut. At least Robert Scarano - the notorious architect/developer who has repeatedly flouted zoning regulations - tends to skirt regulations on the inside of his buildings, away from the justifiably-suspicious view of neighbors.
Image courtesy of petunia2323.
