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Rally and Public Hearing Today, No Variance at the Old Post Office site

The developer of the old Stuyvesant Post Office still wants  to build higher than zoning allows on the block wide site between East 13th and 14th Streets west of Avenue A in the East Village.

The red “x”shows two different proposals they have presented compared with what zoning allows.

Today we hold a rally and public hearing to oppose the variance application for 432 East 14th Street. In the face of our opposition, the requested zoning variance for the oversized new building at 432 East 14th Street/435 East 13th Street has been slashed by two-thirds.  But it is still too tall and the charcoal grey, hyper-modern design is grossly out of context.  If you cannot join us, here is an email action you can do.  You can learn more about the variance application process and what the Board of Standards and Appeals does at a previous post here.

In January the BSA Commissioners noted that they received over 300 letters about this issue, thanks to you, let’s top that this time. Local Community Board #3 voted not to approve it and local elected officials and residents, labor members of SEIU Local 32 BJ and community organizations like East Village Community Coalition have all said no to the variance.

Members of SEIU Local 32 BJ testified in opposition.

In their proposal the applicant continues to associate the scale of this East 13th Street and 14th Street property with Stuyvesant Town to the north, which is simply absurd.  The sheer tower proposed by the applicant is still out of scale and look for the neighborhood. The proposed development would undeniably negatively alter the essential character of the East Village neighborhood. They do not deserve one inch more than zoning allows.

The old post office site.

It is impossible for the Commissioners to have full scope to appropriately modify the variance being sought because of the construction work already commenced, tying the Board’s hands.  Besides, the developer already obtained financing for a complying development.

Construction has already started, making it hard to claim that the developer didn’t think they could make money on a complying development.

We are having a rally at 9:30 am and going in together at 10 am at 22 Reade Street.  Tell your friends and neighbors to send another letter to the BSA today urging them to reject the zoning variance for this (still) oversized development. Anyone can click here to send an email.  If you can make it in person today, use this letter as sample testimony.

At the January Public Hearing.

And check Twitter for live updates if you can’t be there at 10 a.m.  #432east14thstreet

And in April we are having a public program all about the BSA, called “Can They Build That?” with a great array of speakers. Learn more and RSVP for that program here.

 

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