Approvals

January 8, 2024– Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 72-21, to permit the enlargement of an existing religious school within Brooklyn Community Board 3, contrary to underlying zoning regulations for Floor Area Ratio (“FAR”) (Z.R. § 33-121).

February 11, 2024 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained the following ULRUP approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a special permit pursuant to ZR 115-60 to modify the bulk regulations for the Special Downtown Jamaica District to permit a 13-story mixed-use building in Queens Community District 12 and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.

February 26, 2024 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit building within the bed of a mapped street contrary to General City Law (GCL) Section 35 within Queens Community District 8.

March 12, 2024 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals to amend a special permit previously granted by the Board to permit the expansion of a Use Group 3 school within an M1-2 zoning district in Brooklyn Community District 7.

March 19, 2024 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a zoning map amendment from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone an M1-1 zoning district to an M1-5 zoning district to facilitate the development of a new seven-story mixed-use light industrial and office building within Queens Community District 1.

April 11, 2024 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following ULURP approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) zoning map amendments for the rezoning of R6B, R5B, and R4-1 zoning districts to R6A and R6A/C2-3 zoning districts; and (2) a zoning text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map an MIH area. The proposed actions will facilitate a new eight-story mixed residential and commercial building with approximately 86 dwelling units, of which approximately 26 will be permanently affordable within Queens Community District 1.

April 15,2024 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Sections 73-621 and 73-03, to permit the enlargement of an existing two-story plus cellar, single-family detached residence within an R2A zoning district, contrary to zoning requirements for open space and lot coverage (Z.R. § 23-142) in Queens Community District 13.

April 15,2024 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Sections 73-71 and 73-03, to legalize the development of a three-story, two-family residence located within a flood zone, contrary to underlying bulk regulations for side yard depth (Z.R. § 23-48) and rear yard equivalent (Z.R. § 23-532(a)) in Staten Island Community District 2.

April 16, 2024– Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained the following ULURP approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment for the rezoning of an existing R5D zoning district to an R6A/C2-4 zoning district and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area. The approvals would facilitate the development of a 6-story mixed-use building with approximately 22 dwelling units within Queens Community District 1.

April 18, 2024 –  Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following ULURP approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) zoning map amendments for the rezoning of an existing R6A and R6B zoning districts to R7-3 and R7-3/C2-4 zoning districts; (2) zoning text amendments to establish bulk regulations applicable to R7-3 within MIH areas and to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map MIH Options 1, 2, and the Workforce Option; and (3) Large Scale General Development special permits to modify bulk and parking regulations for a development within Brooklyn Community District 6. The proposed actions will facilitate the development of two new buildings with approximately 305 new dwelling units, including approximately 162 affordable units.

April 29, 2024 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained the following ULURP approval from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: a zoning map amendment for the rezoning of an existing R7A zoning district to an R7A/C2-3 zoning district. This approval facilitated a wider array of commercial uses and legalized existing commercial uses within the rezoned area in Queens Community District 4.

May 6, 2024 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy relating to a previously approved variance application permitting commercial use within an existing five-story building within an R6/C1-2 zoning district in Queens Community District 7.

May 20, 2024 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance. The variance provided waivers of bulk to allow the construction of a single-family home.

November 27, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to waive various flood regulations of the New York City Administrative Code to construct the first public observatory in New York City, within the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn. The BSA waived Building Code Appendix G sections relating to foundation, use below the lowest horizontal member, utilities and equipment, certification and special inspections. 

November 27, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to waive various flood regulations of the New York City Administrative Code to construct the first public observatory in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn. The BSA waived Building Code Appendix G sections related to foundation, use below the lowest horizontal member, utitlies and equipment, certification and special inspections.

November 27, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the Board of Standards and Appeals: (1) a variance pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 72-21 to permit the construction of a seven-story residential building within an R5D zoning district contrary to floor area (ZR Section 23-142), front yard (ZR Section 23-45), rear yard (ZR Section 23-471), planting (ZR Section 23-451) and height regulations (ZR Section 23-631), and (2) a waiver of General City Law Section 36, to permit a residential development without required street frontage within Queens Community District 7. 

November 13, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 72-21, to permit the construction of a four-story single-family residential building in an R6 district contrary to floor area regulations, within Brooklyn Community District 1. 

November 13, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing M1-1 zoning district to an R7D/C2-4 zoning district and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area. The approvals would facilitate the development of an 8-story mixed-use building with approximately 54 dwelling units within Brooklyn Community District 3.

November 11, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 72-21, to permit the construction of a five-story house of worship within an R6 zoning district contrary to lot coverage (ZR Section 24-11), rear yard (ZR Section 24-361), permitted obstructions (ZR Section 24-51) and street wall and setback (ZR Section 24-522) regulations, within Brooklyn Community District 12. 

October 2, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-622 to allow the enlargement of a single-family detached residence within an R2X zoning district within the Special Ocean Parkway District.  The special permit granted waivers of front yard and bulk regulations. 

September 28, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone an existing C3 zoning district to an R3-2/C2-3 zoning district to facilitate the as-of-right operation of a long-standing eating and drinking establishment within Brooklyn Community District 15.

September 24, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing R6 zoning district to an R7-2 zoning district, (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area, and (3) a zoning special permit pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 74-903 to allow increased community facility bulk.  The approvals would facilitate the development of an 11-story community facility building with approximately 83 supportive and affordable housing units within Bronx Community District 3.

September 18, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, to finish construction pursuant to the previously approved special permit that our firm had secured for the client. The original special permit, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Sections 73-126 and 73-03, provided a waiver of Zoning Resolution Section 22-14(A) to allow the enlargement of an existing, Use Group 4, one-story, community facility building which contains an ambulatory diagnostic or treatment health care facility, in an R3X zoning district. 

August 7, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a vested rights application for a multi-family building within Brooklyn Community Board 3. The residential building was originally approved by the Department of Buildings (DOB) under R6 zoning, and was subsequently rezoned by the City to an R6B zoning district. The vested rights application was successful and allowed the applicant to construct the residential building as approved under the old zoning.

July 24, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-622, to allow the enlargement of a single-family detached residence within an R2X zoning district within the Special Ocean Parkway District.

July 10, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the Board of Standards and Appeals: (1) a variance pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 72-21 to permit the construction of an 11-story mixed-use commercial and residential building within a split M3-1 and M1-5/R8A (MX-1) zoning district, contrary to floor area (ZR Section 23-153) and use regulations (ZR Section 42-10), and (2) a waiver of General City Law Section 36 to permit a residential development which would not front on a mapped street, within Bronx Community District 1.

July 7, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-50, to legalize a community facility building that did not comply with zoning requirements for rear yard (ZR Section 33-292) within Bronx Community District 5.

July 7, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of term of a variance to the previously approved variance that our firm had secured for the client. The variance, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 32-10, allowed to the continued operation of the existing automotive repair establishment in a residential zoning district in Flatlands, Brooklyn. 

June 5, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Sections 73-14 and 73-03, to permit the construction of a battery energy storage system (electric utility substation) contrary to use regulations within an R6 zoning district in Brooklyn Community District 1. 

May 22, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a vested rights application for a single-family dwelling within Queens Community Board 7. The residential building was originally approved by the Department of Buildings (DOB) under R3-2 zoning, and was subsequently rezoned by the City to an R3A zoning district. The vested rights application was successful and allowed the applicant to construct the residential building as approved under the old zoning. 

May 3, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained the following approval from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: a zoning map amendment for the rezoning of an existing R3-2/C1-3 zoning district to an R3-2/C2-3 zoning district. This approval facilitated a wider array of commercial uses and legalized existing commercial uses within the rezoned area.

April 27, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approval from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: a zoning map amendment for the rezoning of an existing R4-1 zoning district to an R5D zoning district. The rezoning permits the development of a new 4-story multi-family residential building within Queens Community District 14. 

April 19, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time of a variance, to finish construction pursuant to the previously approved variance that our firm had secured for the client. The variance, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 32-10, allowed the operation of an existing food products manufacturing establishment Use Group 17B in Allerton, Bronx. 

March 29, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time of a variance, to finish construction pursuant to the previously approved variance that our firm had secured for the client.  The variance, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 32-10, allowed the continued operation of an existing automotive repair establishment within a residential zoning district in Canarsie, Brooklyn.

February 2, 2023 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing M1-1 zoning district to an M1-4/R6A (MX-4) zoning district, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.  The approvals would facilitate the development of a six-story residential building with approximately 11 dwelling units, including approximately three affordable dwelling units within Brooklyn Community District 3.

December 2, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a Letter of No Objection from the Board of Standards and Appeals relating to a site within Bronx Community District 8 to allow a minor modification to the site plan which is in substantial compliance with the underlying approval. 

November 22, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a zoning map amendment from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone an existing R4/C1-3 and R5D/C1-3 zoning district to an R4/C2-3 and R5D/C2-3 zoning district to facilitate the legalization of a long-standing medical research laboratory within Queens Community District 8. 

October 12, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a zoning map amendment from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone an existing R5 zoning district to an R5D/C2-3 zoning district to facilitate the legalization of a long-standing veterinary practice and allow for the enlargement of the building with two residential dwelling units within Queens Community District 5. 

July 25, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  secured a Letter of No Objection from the Board of Standards and Appeals allowing to allow for minor revisions to the architectural plans filed in connection with a previously-approved variance application within Brooklyn Community District 12. 

July 18, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a vested rights application pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 11-30 within Brooklyn Community District 7. 

July 14, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing R4B zoning district to an R6A zoning district, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.  The rezoning, approved through the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), allows for the proposed development of a new eight-story residential building with approximately 21 dwelling units. 

July 14, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing R4B zoning district to an R6A zoning district, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.  The rezoning, approved through the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), allows for the proposed development of a new eight-story residential building with approximately 21 dwelling units. 

July 14, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing M1-1 zoning district to an R6B zoning district, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.  The approvals would facilitate the development of a four-story residential building with approximately four dwelling units, including one affordable dwelling unit within Brooklyn Community District 6. 

June 6, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-19, to permit a partial conversion of an existing building within an M1-2 zoning district to a charter school within Brooklyn Community District 7. 

June 2, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained the following approvals from the City Council and the City Planning Commission: (1) a rezoning from an R6 zoning district to R7X and R7X/C2-4 zoning districts and (2) a text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution within Brooklyn Community District 1

June 2, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone existing M1-2/R6 (MX-8) and R6A/C2-4 zoning districts to a C4-5D zoning district, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.  The approvals would facilitate the development of a ten-story, mixed-use, commercial and residential building with approximately 88 dwelling units, including approximately 31 affordable dwelling units within Brooklyn Community District 1.

June 2, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing R4 zoning district to an R6B zoning district, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.  The approvals would facilitate the alteration, legalization and development of an existing two-story building as a community facility (day care center) building within Bronx Community District 12.

June 2, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing R4 zoning district to an R6B zoning district, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.  The approvals would facilitate the alteration, legalization and development of an existing two-story building as a community facility (day care center) building within Bronx Community District 12.

June 2, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council for a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing R3-2 zoning district to an R5B/C2-2 zoning district to facilitate the development of a three-story, mixed-use, commercial, community facility and residential building with 16 dwelling units within Queens Community District 13.

May 23, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of term of an existing variance permitting a commercial laundry use within a residential zoning district within Brooklyn Community Board 7.

May 19, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the City Council and the City Planning Commission to map a C2-4 commercial overlay over an existing R6 zoning district within Brooklyn Community District 11, allowing for commercial use within a proposed 23-story mixed-use residential and community facility building.

May 16, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a City Planning Chair Certification in connection with a redesigned Public Plaza and Open Air Café within Manhattan Community District 5.

May 9, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C.  obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time to complete construction pursuant to a previously approved variance within Manhattan Community District 3.

April 28, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Council and the City Planning Commission for (1) a rezoning from an M1-1 zoning district to a C6-3A zoning district and an R7A/C2-4 zoning district, (2) a text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution, (3) a text amendment to modify street wall regulations, and (4) a special permit to reduce the number of required parking spaces, to facilitate the development of a new approximately 172,800 square foot mixed-use commercial, community facility, and residential development within Brooklyn Community District 8.

April 28, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Council and the City Planning Commission for (1) a rezoning from an M1-1 zoning district to a C6-3A zoning district, (2) a text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution, (3) a text amendment to modify street wall regulations, and (4) a special permit to reduce the number of required parking spaces, to facilitate the development of a new 17-story, approximately 170,000 square foot mixed residential, commercial, and community facility building within Brooklyn Community District 8.

April 28, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing R5B zoning district to an R7A zoning district, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area.  The approvals would facilitate the enlargement of an existing community facility building within Brooklyn Community District 15.

April 11, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit pursuant to Z.R. §§ 73-66 and 73-03 to permit the development of an 11-story mixed-use, commercial, community facility and residential building contrary to height restrictions applicable near major airports (ZR § 61-20) within Queens Community District 7.

April 11, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time to complete construction pursuant to a previously approved variance within Queens Community District 1.

March 14, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the conversion and enlargement of an existing building to a one-story plus mezzanine house of worship contrary to front yard zoning regulations, and to build within a bed of a map street contrary to General City Law (GCL) Section 35 within Staten Island Community District 3. 

March 8, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time= to complete construction pursuant to a previously approved variance within Queens Community District 5. 

February 24, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone an existing R3-2 zoning district to R6B/C2-4, R7A/C2-4 and R7A zoning districts, and (2) a zoning text amendment to amend Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area, to facilitate the development of an eight-story, mixed-use, commercial, community facility and residential building with approximately 51 dwelling units, including approximately 14 affordable dwelling units, within Brooklyn Community District 15. 

February 7, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of term and amendment of a previously granted variance to permit the continued operation of a commercial building within a residential zoning district within Bronx Community District 10. 

January 10, 2022— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit the construction of a four-story, two-family residence that does not comply with zoning requirements for zero lot line buildings (Z.R. § 22-00), floor area/FAR (Z.R. § 23-143), front yard (Z.R. § 23-45), and street wall, setback and total height (Z.R. § 23-631) within Brooklyn Community District 15. 

November 23, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Council and the City Planning Commission: (1) a rezoning from an R3A zoning district to an R6B/C2-3 zoning district and (2) a text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution, to facilitate the development of a new four-story, approximately 22,000 square foot mixed residential and commercial building within Queens Community District 10.

December 9, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Council and the City Planning Commission: (1) a text amendment to ZR Section 74-96 to map a new Industrial Business Incentive Area and (2) a special permit pursuant to ZR Section 74-96 to increase the maximum Floor Area Ratio for specific light industrial and commercial uses, and to allow for the adjustment in the underlying height, setback and parking regulations, to facilitate the development of a new approximately 80,743 square foot, eight-story building within Brooklyn Community District 1. 

December 9, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the following approvals from the City Council and the City Planning Commission: (1) a rezoning of an existing M1-2/R6A zoning district to an M1-4/R7D zoning district, (2) a text amendment to modify an MX-8 Special Mixed Use District, and (3) a text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution, to facilitate the development of a new nine-story, approximately 92,100 square foot residential and commercial building within Brooklyn Community District 1. 

November 13, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a rezoning from the City Planning Commission and the City Council.  The application included (1) a rezoning from existing R3X and R6A/C2-4 zoning districts to an R7A/C2-4 zoning district, (2) a zoning text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution (to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area), and (3) a zoning text amendment to extend and amend the Special Downtown Jamaica District. The approvals would facilitate the development of a nine-story residential building with approximately 48 dwelling units, including approximately 12 affordable dwelling units, within Queens Community District 8. 

October 7, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone a portion of Rockaway Beach Boulevard in the Seaside neighborhood of Queens from an R5D zoning district with a C2-3 commercial overlay to an M1-3 zoning district. The rezoning, approved through the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), allows for the proposed development of a six-story self-service storage facility and a public parking garage. 

August 26, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone a portion of Beach 67th Street in the Arverne neighborhood of Queens from an R4A zoning district to an R6 zoning district, to facilitate the development of a nine-story residential building with 83 affordable senior housing units and an 11-story charter school. CPC also approved a zoning text amendment to map the project area as an MIH area. 

June 30, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone a portion of Castle Hill Avenue in the Castle Hill neighborhood of the Bronx from an R3-2 zoning district to an R6B zoning district with a C1-3 commercial overlay. The rezoning facilitated the proposed development of a five-story mixed use building with 35 units of affordable housing, and approximately 4,000 square feet of retail use. CPC also approved a zoning text amendment to map the project area as an MIH area.

June 8, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval of a special permit from the City Planning Commission, pursuant to Zoning Resolution § 74-711, to facilitate a one-story enlargement of an existing five-story building within the Tribeca East Historic District of Manhattan.

May 27, 2021 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone portions of Suydam Street and Willoughby Avenue in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. The rezoning consisted of several actions, including (1) a text amendment to create a new Special Mixed-Use District pairing R7D and M1-5 zoning districts; (2) a zoning map amendment to change portions of an existing M1-1 zoning district to (a) an M1-5 district, (b) an MX (R7D/M1-5) District and (c) an R6 zoning district; and (3) a special permit pursuant to Zoning Resolution (ZR) § 74-533 to waive the parking requirement of 36 accessory off-street parking spaces for a proposed residential building. The application also proposed a text amendment to Appendix F of the ZR to map the Project Area as an MIH area for Options 1 and 2.

April 12, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) for a special permit pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-36 to legalize the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens.

March 18, 2021 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council to rezone a portion of Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn from a C8-2 zoning district to an R7A/C2-4 zoning district, to facilitate the development of a new 9-story plus cellar mixed-use building with approximately 50 residential units and a 1-story commercial building. The application also proposed a text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to map the Project Area as an MIH area.

March 18, 2021—Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission (CPC) and the City Council for the rezoning of a portion of Jamaica Avenue from an R4/C1-3 zoning district to an R4/C2-3 zoning district. The rezoning expanded permitted commercial uses at the site and allowed the applicant to file a special permit application at the Board of Standards and Appeals, to legalize a longstanding Physical Culture Establishment within the existing building. 

March 18, 2021—Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council for the rezoning of a portion of Cortelyou Road in the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn from an R6A/C2-4 zoning district to an R7D/C2-4 district.  CPC also approved a zoning text amendment to map a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area, to facilitate the development of a new, nine-story mixed-use commercial and residential building with approximately 80 dwelling units, including approximately 23 permanently affordable dwelling units. 

March 8, 2021 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of term of a variance, to permit the continued operation of a custom woodworking shop in the Woodhaven neighborhood of Queens. 

February 8, 2021—Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 72-21, to permit the construction of a Charter School requiring waivers of lot coverage, rear yard, street-wall location, building height and setback, and rooftop permitted obstruction regulations. 

January 21, 2021— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a certification from the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission (CPC) pursuant to Zoning Resolution Sections 37-624 and 37-73(c) to allow an open air café as a permitted obstruction within a POPS in Midtown Manhattan. 

December 10, 2020 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council for the rezoning of a portion of Saultell Avenue in Corona, Queens from an R6B zoning district to an R6 zoning district.  The rezoning facilitated the development of a new, six-story mixed-use community facility and residential building with approximately 20 dwelling units, including approximately 6 permanently affordable dwelling units. 

November 30, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval of a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to legalize the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment (PCE) on a portion of the first floor and cellar level of an existing 13-story plus cellar mixed-use residential and commercial building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. 

October 5, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a new Physical Culture Establishment (PCE) pursuant to Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution, to permit the operation of an indoor rock-climbing facility in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.

September 14, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to extend the term of a previously approved special permit and to waive the Board’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, allowing the continued operation of a Physical Culture Establishment (health club) in Coney Island, Brooklyn. 

September 14, 2020 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals of an extension of term and amendment of a prior variance granted by the Board of Standards and Appeals, to permit the continued operation of a dance studio and a Physical Culture Establishment in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of Queens. 

August 27, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission (CPC) and the City Council for the rezoning of a portion of Grand Avenue and Pacific Street in Crown Heights, Brooklyn from an M1-1 zoning district to an R7D/C2-4 district, to permit the development of a new 9-story mixed-use residential and commercial building with approximately 64 residential units. 

August 27, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission and the City Council for the rezoning of a portion of 52^nd Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside, Queens from an R5B zoning district to an R7A/C2-3 zoning district, to facilitate the development of an 8-story plus cellar building. The application also sought a zoning text amendment to Appendix F of the Zoning Resolution to create a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) designated area. 

August 24, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a waiver from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to legalize an existing one-story manufacturing building in Queens that does not front a mapped street, contrary to Section 36 of General City Law.

August 7, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a Letter of Verification from the Queens Department of Buildings to permit the operation of a Motor Vehicle Sales shop (Use Group 16) in a 1940s factory building in Jackson Heights, Queens, without the need to amend the Certificate of Occupancy.

July 27, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval of a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to legalize the conversion of an existing mixed-use commercial and residential semi-detached building to a single-family residence in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan.  The building needed a variance of regulations governing the minimum distance required for legally required windows to provide natural light and ventilation. 

June 29, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit, pursuant to Zoning Resolution (ZR) Section 73-19, to permit a Use Group 3 school in a manufacturing district in Elmhurst, Queens, contrary to ZR Section 42-10. 

June 29, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to amend a previously granted variance to permit the operation of a school in a manufacturing zone in the Bronx, in order to establish a new high school program at the site. 

June 23, 2020 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a certification from the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission (CPC), pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 63-30, that a proposed store is a FRESH (Food Retail Expansion to Support Health Program) food store, in connection with a new 7-story mixed-use development in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. 

June 15, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit the construction of a new, 3-story plus cellar single family residence in Astoria, Queens, contrary to special provisions regarding side lot-line walls. 

May 18, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to renew building permits associated with a previously granted common law vested rights application to complete the construction of a 12-story residential building in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. 

April 22, 2020 —Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission (CPC) and the City Council for the rezoning of 13^th Avenue and 82^nd Street in Brooklyn from an R5B zoning district to an R5B district with C1-3 commercial overlay, to legalize a longstanding law office.

April 22, 2020— Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the City Planning Commission (CPC) and the City Council for the rezoning of a portion of 6^th Avenue in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan from an R7-2/C1-5 district to an R7-2/C2-5 to facilitate expanded commercial uses and to legalize a Physical Culture Establishment (health club).

March 24, 2020 — Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals to amend a previously approved special permit, granted pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-19, to remove a condition that restricted the grade levels for a new charter school.

March 24, 2020 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. amended a previously granted special permit pursuant to Zoning Resolution Sections 73-01, 73-03, and 73-19 to permit the operation of a Use Group 3 school in a manufacturing zoning district.

February 28, 2020 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully applied for the rezoning of four lots in Brooklyn from an R2 District to an R3-1 District to facilitate the legalization of a Use Group 4 medical office. This application also brought neighboring semi-detached homes into conformance. Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully brokered an agreement with local community and political groups to forge a rezoning with broad support.

December 17, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully completed an application for an extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and to waive the Board of Standards and Appeals’ Rules of Practice and Procedure.  This application permitted the operation of a Use Group 6 supermarket and office located partially in an R6/C1-3 and an R6 zoning district.  

December 10, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term of a previously approved variance which permitted the legalization of an existing auto storage facility and the parking of twenty-four (24) cars on the vacant portion of a site located within an R4 zoning district.

November 27, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C., received approvals from the City Planning Commission and City Council for the rezoning of a portion of 8th Avenue in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn from an R6/C1-3 zoning district to a C4-2 zoning district, to facilitate the legalization of a three-story commercial building. 

November 26, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term for a variance, extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, and a waiver of the Board of Standards and Appeals’ Rules of Practice and Procedure pursuant to Zoning Resolution Sections 72-21 and 72-01.  This application permitted the operation of an automotive repair establishment.  

November 19, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a Physical Culture Establishment (“PCE”) special permit pursuant to ZR Section 73-36 to legalize the operation of a health club located on a portion of the first floor of a mixed-use commercial and residential building contrary to ZR Section 32-10.

October 22, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term of a previously approved variance through the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the operation of a Use Group 16B Automotive Service Station. An amendment was also obtained to permit the conversion of accessory automotive service bays to an accessory convenience store.

October 18, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully applied for the rezoning of a portion of 112th Street between 71st Road and 72nd Avenue in Forest Hills, Queens from an R1-2A zoning district to an R3-2 zoning district to facilitate the legalization of an existing Use Group 4 medical office. 

September 17, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully renewed six building permits in the Bronx pursuant to the common law doctrine of vested rights. This application permitted the construction of six single-family homes to continue as originally designed after a change in the New York City Zoning Resolution that would have substantially reduced the subject property’s development potential.  

May 8, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received an approval from the City Council of a City Planning Commission rezoning of ten full and two partial lots in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, from an M1-1 zoning district to an MX (M1-4/R7A) zoning district.  In addition, this action mapped an MIH area over the rezoning area. The rezoning will facilitate development of a new eight-story plus cellar mixed-use building with approximately 103 dwelling units, including approximately 33 permanently affordable units, and ground floor commercial space. 

April 30, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured the approval of an application to amend a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals of an expansion of a school in Greenwich Village to permit a three-story plus cellar enlargement that does not comply with the maximum permitted lot coverage, contrary to ZR Section 24-11.  Sheldon Lobel, P.C also assisted in securing approval for the design of the expansion from the Landmarks Preservation Commission (“LPC”). 

April 9, 2019 –  Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the approval of two special permits and a zoning text amendment that will facilitate the development of a new approximately 60,000 sq. ft., seven-story mixed industrial and commercial building in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.  These actions expanded an Industrial Business Incentive Area, reduced off-street parking requirements, and increased the maximum permitted floor area ratio pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 74-962 and 74-963 

April 9, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained an extension of time from the BSA to complete the construction of a Use Group 6 bank within the College Point neighborhood of Queens. 

March 13, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. rezoned three lots in the Allerton neighborhood of the Bronx from a C8-1 zoning district to an R7A/C2-3 zoning district.  In addition, this action mapped a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area over the rezoning area. This rezoning will facilitate the development of a new nine-story plus cellar mixed-use building with approximately 30 dwelling units, including approximately nine permanently affordable units and ground floor office space. 

March 5, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a unanimous approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a new Buddhist temple in Queens, to permit a three-story plus cellar House of Worship that required wavers of certain bulk regulation including floor area, parking and yard regulation. This was the first approval of a Buddhist Temple by the BSA.

February 28, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received an approval from the City Council of a City Planning Commission rezoning of portions of two lots in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn from an R3X zoning district to an R6A zoning district.  In addition, this action mapped an MIH area over the rezoning area. This application facilitated the expansion of a Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to provide needed therapy and recreational space to elderly patients.  

February 26, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a variance from the BSA to develop a new Use Group 3 School contrary to lot coverage, rear yard, street wall, setback and sky exposure plane requirements within the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx. The school will contain approximately 59,900 square feet and has a projected enrollment of 904 students.

February 13, 2019 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. rezoned an entire block in the Wakefield neighborhood of the Bronx from an M1-1 zoning district to an R7D/C2-4 zoning district.  In addition, this action mapped a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing designated area over the rezoning area. This rezoning will facilitate the development of a new nine-story plus cellar mixed-use building with approximately 186 units of affordable housing and ground-floor retail space.

December 11, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel P.C obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-19 to construct a Use Group (“UG”) 3 Kindergarten through 8th grade charter school, contrary to certain use group regulations. The site is located within a C8-3 zoning district, in which the proposed UG 3 charter school was not permitted as-of-right, and therefore required a special permit for the use of the proposed school at the premises, located within the Concourse Village area of the Bronx.

December 4, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained approval for a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an amendment to an existing variance to allow a modification of an approved site plan to facilitate the development of a new 14-story plus cellar mixed-use residential and community facility building with a gymnasium and approximately 103 affordable housing units. The building, to be located within the Mount Hope neighborhood of the Bronx, will be developed under the Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability (“ELLA”) financing program administered by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (“HPD”). 

November 20, 2018 –  Sheldon Lobel P.C obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to legalize the operation of a physical culture establishment (“PCE”) on the first floor of an existing building on the Upper East Side. The existing building is split between C1-9 and R8B zoning districts. PCE uses are only permitted in C1-9 zoning districts by special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals (the “BSA”) pursuant to ZR §§ 32-31 and 73-36. 

October 30, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel P.C obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit application to legalize the operation of a physical culture establishment (“PCE”), a gym which opened for business on March 1, 2018, on portions of the first and cellar floors of an existing building located in Manhattan. This application was filed pursuant to Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution. The premises is located within C5-3 and C1-9 zoning districts within the Special Midtown District, where a PCE use is only permitted by special permit from the BSA pursuant to ZR § 73-36.

October 11, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit pursuant to ZR § 73-433 to waive the parking requirement of 106 accessory off-street parking spaces for an existing income-restricted housing development. This application requested a parking waiver that would facilitate the development of a new six-story 96-unit affordable housing building with 28 accessory off-street parking spaces on an underutilized surface parking lot located within the Bedford – Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.

August 21, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the BSA, pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-19, to allow a Use Group (“UG”) 3 school within an M1-6 manufacturing zoning district, within the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn. The proposed UG 3 charter school was not permitted as-of right and therefore required a special permit to operate at the Premises.

June 26, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an amendment to a previously granted variance to (1) legalize the change in use of a portion of the ground floor of an existing building from a Use Group 9 banquet hall to a Use Group 6 supermarket, and (2) permit a minor interior enlargement of the total commercial floor area, while not altering the building’s envelope on Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn.

June 26, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of term of a previously-granted variance to allow a Use Group 8 non-transient parking lot at a property located on Burnside Avenue, Bronx.

June 19, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time to complete construction of a three-story plus cellar multiple dwelling on Luquer Street in Brooklyn.

June 19, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a waiver of General City Law (“GCL”) § 35 to permit the development of a three-story, multi-family residential building with 12 dwelling units partially within the bed of a mapped but unbuilt street in Corona, Queens.

June 19, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for two special permit applications to permit (1) a Physical Culture Establishment (“PCE”) pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-36, and (2) a reduction in the number of parking spaces required for Use Group 4 ambulatory diagnostic or treatment facilities pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-44 in a 14-story building in Flushing, Queens.

May 22, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit the development of a seven-story plus cellar residential building on West 19th Street, Manhattan. The variance granted waivers of rear yard and lot coverage.

May 22, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of term of a previously granted variance to permit the continued operation of a gasoline service station with accessory uses on Bartow Avenue in the Bronx.

May 15, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an amendment to permit modifications to the design of a previously-approved school building in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

May 9, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the City Planning Commission to rezone a portion of Brooklyn Block 2003 from an R7A zoning district to an R8A and R8A/C2-4 zoning district. The rezoning was approved by the City Council on June 28, 2018.

May 9, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the City Planning Commission to rezone a portion of Manhattan Block 504 from an R7-2/C1-5 zoning district to an R7-2 and R7-2/C2-5 zoning district. The rezoning allowed a Physical Culture Establishment (“PCE”) use to be located at the site. The rezoning was approved by the City Council on June 28, 2018.

April 17, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow a Use Group 3 school within an existing manufacturing building which is located within an M1-2 zoning district in Mott Haven, Bronx. The special permit was granted pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-19.

April 17, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit the development of a new residential building contrary to the use provisions in the underlying M1-1 zoning district in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

April 10, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time to complete construction pursuant to a previously granted variance to allow the construction of a Use Group 6 commercial building contrary to use regulations on Bergen Avenue in Brooklyn.

April 10, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time of a previously granted variance to permit the construction of a three-story plus cellar synagogue on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn.

April 10, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of term of a previously granted special permit to permit a Use Group 6 eating and drinking establishment in an existing building in Plumb Beach, Brooklyn. The approval will allow the continued operation of a TGI Fridays Restaurant & Bar.

April 10, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for both an amendment of a previously granted variance to permit minor changes in the construction of a Use Group 4 house of worship, as well as an extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy in connection with a house of worship on 77th Avenue in Queens.

March 27, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit pursuant to ZR § 73-622 to allow the enlargement of a single-family home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

March 6, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of time to complete construction pursuant to a previously granted special permit to permit the construction of a three-story commercial building contrary to rear yard requirements within a C8-3 zoning district on West 155th Street, Manhattan.

February 28, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the City Planning Commission for rezoning of a portion of Brooklyn Block 1131 from an R6B and R6A/C2-4 zoning district to an R6A/C2-4 zoning district. The rezoning was approved by the City Council on April 11, 2018.

January 23, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a General City Law (“GCL”) § 35 application to permit the development of three four-story, three-family attached residential buildings and a four-story, multi-family residential building with 10 dwelling units partially within the bed of a mapped but unbuilt portion of Haspel Street, Queens.

January 9, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment within an existing building located on West 37th Street, Manhattan. The special permit will allow the operation of an Orangetheory Fitness gym.

January 9, 2018 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment within an existing building located on West 20th Street, Manhattan. The special permit will allow the operation of a Functional 45 Training gym.

December 12, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval of the Board of Standards and Appeals for a General City Law (“GCL”) 36 application. The GCL approval allowed the applicant to build within the bed of an unmapped street. The approval allowed the applicant to proceed with the enlargement of a two-story residence and garage in Little Neck, Queens.

December 5, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval of the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to allow a school within an existing building on Webster Avenue, Brooklyn, contrary to certain bulk regulations.

November 30, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the New York City Council for zoning map and text amendments to allow the development of a new eight-story mixed-use building with approximately 75 residential units, including a set aside for permanently affordable housing, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. The rezoning changed M1-1 and M1-2 zoning districts to R7D/C2-4 and R6A/C2-4 zoning districts.
November 21, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit the construction of a two-story plus cellar, mixed-use building contrary to use, front yard, side yard, floor area and floor area ratio regulations on 74th Street, Queens.

October 31, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment within an existing building on Astor Place, Manhattan. The special permit will allow the operation of an Orangetheory Fitness gym.

October 31, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit pursuant to ZR § 73-44 to allow a reduction in the number of required accessory off-street parking spaces in order to develop a new two-story commercial building in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

October 31, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow a reduction in the number of required accessory off-street parking spaces for community facility and office use in Astoria Heights, Queens.

October 3, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment within an existing building located on Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn. The special permit will allow the operation of an I Love Kickboxing gym.

October 3, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit the development of a four-story, mixed use building contrary to certain bulk regulations on McGuinness Boulevard, Brooklyn.

October 3, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment within an existing located on Westchester Avenue, Bronx. The special permit will allow the operation of an I Love Kickboxing gym.

September 26, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit the enlargement of an existing house of worship located in the neighborhood in the Bronx, contrary to rear yard and lot coverage regulations.

September 18, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a certification from the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission (CPC) pursuant to Section 25-35 of the Zoning Resolution waiving the parking requirement for a new Jain temple to be constructed in Queens. This certification allows the waiver of required parking for a house of worship provided over 75% of all congregants live within a ¾-mile radius of the proposed building.

September 19, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment within an existing building on Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. The special permit will allow the operation of an Orangetheory Fitness gym.

September 7, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals from the New York City Council for zoning map and text amendments to allow the development of Ebenezer Plaza, two new mixed-use buildings with 531 affordable units, commercial space, and a new house of worship for the Church of God of East Flatbush in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The actions changed an M1-1 zoning district to R7D/C2-4 and R7A/C2-4 districts and established a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing area.

September 6, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval for a special permit from the City Planning Commission to permit ground floor and cellar retail use in an existing building within the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan.

August 23, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained authorization from the City Planning Commission to permit addition of a single, enclosed off-street accessory parking space In a newly-renovated building located on Downing Street in the Greenwich Village/West Village neighborhood of Manhattan.

August 22, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance of side yard requirements to permit the construction of a two-story, two-family detached building in Jamaica, Queens.

July 11, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The special permit will allow the operation of an Orangetheory Fitness gym.

June 27, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the development of a new mixed-use building at 36-18 Main Street, Queens contrary to FAA height limits.

June 6, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit the development of a new four-story commercial building in Bushwick, Brooklyn with waivers of FAR, height, setback and parking.

June 6, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to permit Use Group 6 commercial use within the existing building at 151 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx.

May 24, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals for zoning map and text amendments from the New York City Council changing an existing R6 to an R8A/C2-4 district and establishing a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area. The approval will facilitate Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens’ development of a ten-story mixed “passive house” building with 67 affordable housing units in Ocean Hill, Brooklyn.

May 10, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approvals for zoning map and text amendments from the New York City Council to change an existing M1-2 district to R7A/C2-4 and M1-2/R6A districts and establish a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area with Work Force Option and Option 2. The approval will facilitate the development of a mixed-use building and a residential building in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

May 2, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit pursuant to ZR § 73-622 to allow the enlargement of the single-family home in Bayridge, Brooklyn with waivers of open space ratio and FAR.

April 25, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval for a City Planning special permit pursuant to ZR § 74-902 from the New York City Council. The approval will allow CAMBA Housing Ventures to construct a new eight-story building with approximately 70 units of affordable and supportive housing for homeless and low-income persons in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

February 14, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for variances to permit the construction of a three-story educational and cultural facility in Brooklyn, New York. The variances will allow The Greek School of Plato at the premises.

February 10, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance of heightened FAR provisions to permit the development of a pre-school within the Fillmore Place Historic District in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

January 31, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the enlargement of a single-family detached residence within an R3-2 zoning district in Brooklyn, New York.

January 24, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment on the second floor of an existing building in Brooklyn, New York. The special permit will allow the operation of an Orange Theory Fitness.

January 24, 2017 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for an extension of term of a previously granted variance, to permit the continued operation of commercial uses on portions of the first floor and cellar of an existing building in Manhattan, New York.

December 13, 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received an approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a bulk variance to permit the development of a three-story community facility in Brooklyn, New York. The variance will allow The School at Fillmore Place, a pre-school for children ages two through five at the premises.

October 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval of the City Council for the 1968 Second Avenue Rezoning. The rezoning, as previously approved by the City Planning Commission, expanded an existing C1-5 overlay an additional 55 feet to permit the expansion of a supermarket located in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan.

October 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received a Final Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Finance for the Industrial and Commercial Abatement Program (ICAP) for a development in Queens. The Certificate of Eligibility will enable the development to receive a partial tax abatement for fifteen years.

October 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment in an existing building in Queens, New York. The special permit will allow a Retro Fitness gym to operate in the existing building at the premises.

October 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a bulk variance to permit the development of a two-story and cellar commercial building for artist spaces within a manufacturing district in Queens, New York. The variance waives the required front yard setback for a property located on a district boundary.

September 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval of the City Council for the 38th Street and 31st Avenue Rezoning. The rezoning, as previously approved by the City Planning Commission, changed portions of an R5B district to an R6B district in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. The rezoning allowed the applicant to provide additional units in a proposed residential building.

September 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a Letter of Substantial Compliance (LOSC) involving a 37-year-old apartment house on the upper east side of Manhattan. The LOSC will allow the building to continue to exist as built without receiving violations relating to deviation from plans filed with the BSA shortly before it received its final Certificate of Occupancy.

July 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received a Final Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Finance for the Industrial and Commercial Abatement Program (ICAP) for a development in the Bronx. The Certificate of Eligibility will enable the development to receive a partial tax abatement for twenty five years with inflation protection.

June 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development involving the Final Determination for a Certificate of No Harassment (CNH) relating to a single room occupancy building in East Harlem in Manhattan. The CNH will enable the owners to obtain permits from the Department of Buildings in order to redevelop the premises.

May 2016 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. received the approval of the Board of Standards and Appeals for a General City Law (“GCL”) 35 application. The GCL approval allowed the applicant to build within the bed of a mapped but unopened street. The approval allowed the applicant to proceed with the construction of five two-story two-family attached residences within the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens.

May 2016 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. received the approval of the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment (“PCE”) within an existing building located in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan. The approval allowed the applicant to operate a physical therapy and personal training facility within the existing building.

May 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a ZR §73-36 special permit at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the operation of a physical culture establishment (physical therapy and fitness rehabilitation) in the cellar level of the existing building located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood.

May 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a variance, pursuant to ZR §72-21, to permit the development of a new 3-story residential building located in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, contrary to use regulations within an M1-1 zoning district.

April 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully secured a license from the Department of Consumer Affairs to permit the operation of an unenclosed sidewalk café at celebrated chef Laurent Tourondel’s L’Amico restaurant in the Midtown neighborhood of Manhattan. Concurrently, Department of Health permits were secured for L’Amico and The Vine, which operates at the same premises.

March 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, PC represented the owners of the Samuel Babcock House in the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s Backlog Initiative of 95 properties throughout New York City. The Babcock House was one of only five houses to be permanently removed from LPC’s calendar. The LPC decision came after SLPC’s submission of evidence indicating the property was not worthy of landmark designation and a presentation at LPC’s public hearing. Read a related News Article

February 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a special permit from the BSA, pursuant to ZR Section 72-622, to enlarge an existing single-family detached residence located within an R5 zoning district in Brooklyn Community District 15. The proposed enlargement results in non-compliances with respect to side yard and rear yard requirements.

February 2016 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. prepared and recorded a certified Department of Buildings Egress Easement Restrictive Declaration through the Office of the City Register. The Restrictive Declaration affords access to a public street by one parcel through the rear portion of another parcel.

December 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term of the previously granted variance permitting an automotive repair facility in Brooklyn.

December 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a variance from the BSA, pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, to waive the minimum lot size requirement under ZR Section 23-32 for multi-family residential use on an undersized lot in the subject R8A/C2-5 zoning district. The variance approved a 6-story mixed-use commercial and residential building, with ground floor retail and five residential units on the floors above.
The BSA emphasized neighborhood character and architectural cohesiveness when granting this variance. The approved building’s façade design borrows from popular and historical East Village architectural elements, such as Italian style metallic cornices, limestone details, and the Greek Revival style Flemish brick bonding design.

December 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a certification, from the City Planning Commission (CPC) pursuant to ZR Sections 37-624 and 37-73(c), to allow the continued operation of an open air café within a publicly accessible open area on a property located in Manhattan’s Special Midtown District. A Notice of Certification was also recorded and certified by the Office of the City Register in conjunction with the CPC approval.

December 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit to allow the construction of a health care facility that exceeds the maximum permitted floor area in a low density zoning district located in the Bronx.

November 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an ten-year extension of term of the previously granted variance at 16-23/25 Hancock Street which permitted the continued operation of the ground floor use contrary to district regulations. An amendment was also obtained to legalize a change in use of the ground floor of the existing building from a contractor’s establishment to a custom woodworking shop and an art studio. Additionally, a waiver of the Board of Standards and Appeals’ Rules of Practice and Procedure was obtained to allow the filing of the application after the permitted filing period.

November 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term and amendment of a previously granted special permit to permit the continued operation of a Spa in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

October 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ZR § 73-36 special permit at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the operation of Coban’s Muay Thai gym in the cellar of the existing mixed-use residential and commercial building at 244 Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

September 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received the approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a Letter of Substantial Compliance involving a 47-year-old medical facility building on the west side of Manhattan. The LOSC will allow the building to be reused for a different community facility use.

September 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to allow Use Group 6 commercial uses on the first floor of a proposed 4-story building to be located in a R6 zoning district in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood.

September 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to allow Use Group 6 commercial uses on the first floor and cellar of a building located within a M1-5B zoning district in Greenwich Village.

September 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a twenty-year extension of term from the BSA of a previously approved variance to permit the continued operation of a Use Group 18B scrap metal, junk, paper, rags, storage, and bailing facility located within a C8-3 zoning district in the Bronx.

September 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a variance from the BSA, pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, to permit the construction of a new six-story, 58,559 square foot (4.9 FAR) non-profit school (Use Group 3) in Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood, contrary to certain bulk regulations. Due to the presence of groundwater, subsurface rock conditions, and contaminated soil, excavation at the Premises was limited and the proposed school required wall height and setback waivers, as per bulk regulations in the subject R7-2/C1-4 zoning district. Due to the school’s inadequate existing conditions and a critical timetable to occupy their new facility, Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained the BSA grant in less than six months from filing.
The applicant here, The Equity Project (“TEP”) Charter School, is a non-profit public middle school serving 480 low-income students who reside primarily in Inwood, Washington Heights, and Harlem neighborhoods. TEP Charter School is New York City’s highest ranked independent charter middle school and has been featured in a 60 Minutes report and in The New York Times.

September 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a zoning authorization, pursuant to ZR Section 11-411, from the City Planning Commission to renew a special permit originally granted to permit the continued operation of a public parking garage located within a C6-5.5 zoning district in Midtown, Manhattan.

June 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an amendment, pursuant to ZR Sections 72-01 and 72-22, to modify an amended BSA variance in order to permit the expansion of an existing dance studio (Use Group 9) located in an R2A/C1-2 zoning district in Fresh Meadows, Queens. The BSA grant also secured an extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy.

August 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained approval, from the City Planning Commission (CPC), on several zoning actions in order to permit the development of 323 units of low-income, senior residential use with ground retail and community facility space, within a large-scale general development (LSGD) in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx. The following zoning actions were approved:
(1) A rezoning to change an existing R6 zoning district to an R7-2 zoning district, to establish a C1-4 zoning district within an existing R6 zoning district, and to establish C1-4 and C2-4 zoning districts within a proposed R7-2 zoning district;
(2) A zoning text amendment application to amend ZR Section 74-745 involving provisions for LSGDs relating to a special permit by which the City Planning Commission may reduce or waive or reduce parking requirements for non-profit residences for the elderly;
(3) A special permit application pursuant to ZR Section 74-743 (a) (2) to permit location of buildings without regard to applicable yard, court, distance between buildings, and height and setback regulations;
(4) A special permit application pursuant to ZR Section 74-745 (c) to waive or reduce the number off-street parking spaces, including a reduction of required accessory off-street parking spaces; and
(5) An authorization application pursuant to ZR Section 36-72 to waive the enclosed bicycle parking spaces requirements in connection with the approved mixed-use development.
In addition to the above-listed zoning approvals, an application for a modification application was approved, which granted certain amendments to an existing Declaration recorded against the site. The Second Amended Declaration, executed and recorded in the New York County Office of the City Register, was modified to reflect changes to restrictions on dwelling units, open landscaped recreation area, lighting, and parking.

June 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained, pursuant to the common law doctrine of vested rights, an extension of time to complete construction of eight homes located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, on behalf of Villanova Heights, Inc.

May 2015 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a special permit, pursuant to ZR Section 73-36, from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit a CrossFit fitness center (a Physical Culture Establishment, or PCE) operating in the cellar level of an existing 2-story commercial building, located within a C6-1G zoning district in the Bowery neighborhood of Manhattan.

May 2015 – The New York City Council approved a zoning text amendment filed by Sheldon Lobel, P.C. to amend Z.R. Section 94-061 concerning use regulations within the Special Sheesphead Bay District (SSBD). The approved zoning text amendment permits a Use Group 6A food store (Cherry Hill Gourmet Market) and accessory parking lot in Area B of the SSBD, where such use was not permitted as-of-right. The approved text amendment anchors Chery Hill Gourmet Market, a long-standing Sheepshead Bay community business, while establishing:
(1) a size limit to the subject Use Group 6A food store,
(2) minimum parking requirements, and
(3) a 10-year term for the Use Group 6A food store.

May 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit, pursuant to ZR §73-42, from the Board of Standards and Appeals to extend a conforming Use Group 6 restaurant in Astoria, Queens partially within a C4-2A zoning district into the adjacent R5B zoning district.

May 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit pursuant to ZR §73-622 from the Boards of Standards and Appeals to allow the enlargement of a single-family residence located within an R4 zoning district in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, contrary to floor area, lot coverage, open space, side yards and rear yard.

May 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ZR §73-622 special permit at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals for the enlargement of an existing single-family home located at 1179 East 28th Street in Brooklyn.

May 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ZR §73-36 special permit at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the operation of a physical culture establishment (gym) on the first floor of the existing building, located at 92 Laight Street in Manhattan.

April 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ZR §72-21 variance at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to permit Use Group 2 residential in an existing 6-story building with a new penthouse addition located at 31 Bond Street in Manhattan. Residential use was not permitted as-of-right, as the property is located in a manufacturing district.

April 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a Zoning Certification from the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission pursuant to ZR Section 62-811(b), confirming compliance with General Requirements for Visual Corridors and Waterfront Public Access Area (ZR Section 62-50) and Design Requirements for Waterfront Public Access Areas (ZR Section 62-60). The Zoning Certification allowed for the issuance of building permits to facilitate the development of 856 residential units within three towers on zoning lots located within R7-3, R7-3/C2-4 and C4-3 zoning districts, in Brooklyn Community District 1. In connection with the Zoning Certification application, Sheldon Lobel P.C. executed and recorded a Restrictive Declaration, which contains special conditions to the issuance of the subject DOB building permit.

March 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ZR §72-21 variance and a General City Law Section 36 approval to construct residential and community facility buildings on a C8 zoned property that has no frontage on a mapped city street.

March 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained an amendment, pursuant to Z.R. Section 73-01, to modify a previously granted ZR 73-622 special permit at the Board of Standards and Appeals, which permitted the enlargement of an existing single-family detached residence in violation of floor area, open space, lot coverage, and side yard requirements. Following the Board’s prior approval of the special permit in November 2012, due to damage to the residence and new regulations as a result of Superstorm Sandy, the Department of Buildings required removal of the home’s cellar level. The BSA amendment application grant permitted additional bulk at the Premises, as an attic addition was proposed to cure the loss of cellar space.

March 2015 -Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ZR §73-621 special permit at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to permit an enlargement of the existing mixed commercial and residential building located at 6934 5th Avenue in Brooklyn. The special permit allowed the enlargement to be bulk in excess of as-of-right floor area regulations.

March 2015 – New York Law School’s CityLand website published “BSA Vested Rights Decision Upheld by First Department” covering Jordan Most’s and Frank St. Jacques’ representation of GRA V, LLC in a common law vested rights case. The First Department upheld the lower court ruling recognizing GRA V, LLC’s common law vested right to complete construction. Significantly, the First Department recognized that in the context of common law vesting “minor amendments to plans are permitted to cure errors and administrative irregularities, and to validate a permit retroactively.”

February 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ZR § 73-36 special permit at the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the operation of The Vault Spa within the existing building at 14 Wall Street in lower Manhattan.

January 2015 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ZR § 73-36 special permit at the New York City Boards of Standards and Appeals to permit the operation of Retro Fitness gym on the third floor of the existing building at 1 12th Street in Brooklyn.
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October 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a special permit, pursuant to ZR Section 73-19, by the BSA to permit a Use Group 3 special education preschool on the second floor of an existing 4-story building within a manufacturing zoning district located in Manhattan Community District 11, where such school use is not permitted as-of-right.

September 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an amendment pursuant to ZR Section 11-413 and Article 7-B, MDL to a variance previously granted by the BSA to convert the Premises to mixed use, with retail (UG 6) on first floor and cellar, and residential (UG 2) on the second through sixth floors.

August 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance pursuant to ZR Section 72-21 from the BSA to legalize Use Group (UG) 6 retail use on the first floor of an existing five-story building located at the Premises, and to permit UG 6 retail use in the cellar. Such use is not permitted as-of-right at the Premises, which is located within an M1-5B zoning district.

August 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained modification of a previously approved variance, which permitted a large office building partially located in a residential zoning district. Modifications included site plan changes and elimination of the 25-year term of variance.

July 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C.obtained a variance from the BSA to legalize an existing fitness facility in the basement level of an existing commercial building in a C1-4/R7A zoning district.

July 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment pursuant to ZR Sections 72-01 and 72-22, to a variance previously granted by the BSA to remove a term limitation for a one-story and cellar retail drug store and five smaller stores with accessory parking, contrary to residential district use regulations, as the building is located within a residential zoning district.

July 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit pursuant to ZR Section 73-621 from the BSA to allow the enlargement of an existing residence located within an R2 zoning district, contrary to floor area ratio and open space ratio requirements, in the Kew Gardens Hills neighborhood of Queens.

July 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained an amendment to a previously granted variance pursuant to ZR Sections 72-01 and 72-22 from the BSA to eliminate the term of years permitted by the most recently extended variance.

June 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment to a previously approved variance, allowing for an increase in the degree of non-compliance in an R7A zoning district for an existing hospital building.

June 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an extension of time in order to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for a previously approved variance permitting the operation of an eating and drinking establishment, partially located in a residential zoning district.

June 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a variance pursuant to ZR Section 42-00 from the BSA to permit senior housing within an M1-1 zoning district.

June 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment pursuant to ZR Sections 72-01 and 72-22 from the BSA to remove a term limitation for a variance at the Premises. The amendment removed a 25-year term which had been a condition of the original grant.

May 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an amendment, pursuant to ZR Sections 72-01 and 72-22, to a variance previously granted by the BSA on June 23, 2009, to permit construction of a three-story, three-family residential building in Brooklyn. The amendment increased the number of dwelling units permitted in the building.

May 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a two-year extension of time from the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to complete construction and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy of a previous vested rights approval.

April 2014 – The New York City Council unanimously approved a re-zoning application submitted by DERP Associates, LLC, to rezone a portion of an R3-2 district and an R3-2/C2-2 district to a C4-1 district to remove a non-conforming condition currently permitted by a Board of Standards and Appeals special permit within Community District 13. The approval will facilitate the use of retail space within an existing shopping center by allowing a wider range of commercial uses.

March 2014 – The New York City Council approved the rezoning application filed by Sheldon Lobel, P.C. to rezone a portion of Block 6831 from an R3-2 district and an R3-2/C1-2 district to an R5D/C1-3 district to facilitate the construction of a four-story mixed-use commercial and residential building in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Queens Community District 8.

March 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance pursuant to ZR Section 72-21 from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the construction of a synagogue and school, contrary to floor area and lot coverage (§24-11), side yard (§24-35), rear yard (§24-36), sky exposure plane (§24-521), and parking (§25-31) regulations, in a R3-2 zoning district on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn.

March 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit pursuant to ZR Section 73-622 from the Boards of Standards and Appeals to allow the enlargement of a single-family residence located within an R2 zoning district, contrary to floor area, open space ratio, side yard, and rear yard requirements in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn.

March 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit pursuant to ZR Section 73-622 from the Boards of Standards and Appeals to allow the enlargement of a single-family residence located within an R3-2 zoning district, contrary to floor area, open space, lot coverage, side yard, rear yard, and perimeter wall height requirements in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn. Although there was initially neighbor opposition to the enlargement, SLPC was able to negotiate with the opposition and ultimately secure the special permit.

March 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term from the Board of Standards and Appeals, which extended the term of the variance granted to the Premises, which permitted the one-story enlargement of a Use Group 17 plumbing supply establishment at the Premises.

March 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an amendment, pursuant to ZR Sections 72-01 and 72-22, to a variance previously granted by the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit a rooftop addition contrary to floor area regulations, above the existing Century 21 building in downtown Manhattan.

March 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance to permit the operation of a physical culture establishment (H.I.T. Factory Improved) on the second floor of an existing building, contrary to C1-3/R6B zoning district use regulations.

March 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance to permit a new four-story, four-unit residential building at a site located within M1-1 and R7A/C2-4 zoning districts, contrary to applicable use regulations.

March 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance and a special permit pursuant to ZR Section 73-621 from the Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the enlargement of the existing residence at the Premises, contrary to front yard, rear yard, and floor area regulations.

February 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a one-year extension of time from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a previously granted variance, to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for an existing parking garage located in Manhattan.

February 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit pursuant to ZR Section 73-36 from the Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the existing operation of a physical culture establishment (NY Physical Training Fitness Studio) within an existing building, contrary to C6-4A zoning district use regulations.

February 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a four-year extension of time pursuant to ZR Section 72-01 from the Board of Standards and Appeals to complete construction of a four-story residential building, pursuant to a previously granted variance from September 2006.

February 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance pursuant to ZR Section 72-21 from the Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the construction of a retail building (UG 6) contrary to use regulations (22-10), in a R5 zoning district on Bergen Avenue.

January 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance pursuant to ZR Section 72-21 from the Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the construction of a Use Group 4A house of worship (Congregation Bet Yaakob), contrary to several bulk regulations, within R5 (Special Ocean Parkway District), R6A (Special Ocean Parkway District) and R5 (Ocean Parkway Subdistrict) zoning districts in the Homecrest area of Brooklyn.

January 2014 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the construction of two new single-family homes, which do not front on a legally mapped street, contrary to General City Law Section 36, within R2 and R1-1 (Special Hillsides Preservation District) zoning districts in Grymes Hill area of Staten Island. Despite neighbor opposition, SLPC was able to work directly with the Fire Department to reach an agreement regarding acceptable fire safety measures.

December 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained an amendment to a previously granted variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, which legalized the location of an emergency generator within a required front yard.

November 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a Letter of Substantial Compliance from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), permitting minor modifications to a prior variance originally granted by the BSA in September 2006, which permitted construction of a new four-story residential building in Brooklyn, contrary to use regulations in the M1-1 zoning district.

October 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a two-year extension of time to complete construction from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a previous variance approval, which permitted construction of a two-story, two-family residential building that did not comply with front yard requirements on Glenmore Avenue in Brooklyn.

October 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully secured a determination from the Board of Standards and Appeals that the current owner had a common law vested right to continue and complete construction of a six-story multiple dwelling on Beach 93rd Street in Queens pursuant to the former R6 zoning district regulations.

October 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals to legalize the operation of a Planet Fitness center (a Physical Culture Establishment, or PCE) on Broadway in Manhattan and to allow the extension of the PCE use into 25 feet of the residential portion of the zoning lot.

October 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ten-year extension of term from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a variance that permitted the operation of a Use Group 16B automotive service station (UG 16B) with accessory uses on Horace Harding Expressway.

September 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a previously granted variance that permitted the enlargement of a synagogue and provision of an accessory rabbi’s residence, located on East 21st Street in Brooklyn. The enlargement did not comply with certain bulk regulations.

September 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a two-year extension of time to complete construction and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a previous vested rights approval pursuant to the common law, which permitted construction of four attached single-family homes under the former R5 zoning distinct regulations.

September 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a Letter of Substantial Compliance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, permitting minor modifications to a prior variance granted by the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals in September 2010, which permitted construction of a new four-story plus mezzanine synagogue on 52nd Street in Brooklyn, contrary to several bulk regulations.

September 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a four-year extension of time to complete construction pursuant to a previously approved variance, granted in 2001, which permitted the conversation of a vacant four-story building in a M1-1 district in Community District 1 in Brooklyn to Use Group 2 residential use. If the extension of time had not been granted, the owner would have been required to file a complete new variance application.

September 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a two-year extension of time to complete construction and an amendment from the Board of Standards and Appeals pf a previously granted variance which permitted the construction of a four-story residential building with an accessory four-car garage on Kingsland Avenue in Brooklyn.

September 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a one-year extension of time from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a previously granted variance, to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for an existing parking garage located in Manhattan.

August 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ten-year extension of term and an amendment from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a previously approved variance that permitted the operation of an automotive service station (UG 16B) with accessory uses in a C1-3/R5B district on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. The amendment legalized site layout and operational changes.

July 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, to permit the construction of a synagogue (Use Group 4A House of Worship) within an M1-1 zoning district on 61st Street in Brooklyn, contrary to height, setback, sky exposure plane, rear yard, and parking regulations.

July 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an extension of time from the Board of Standards and Appeals to continue construction for the nine remaining single-family homes that are part of a vested 15-acre, 15-parcel development in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The project is located in a Special Natural Area District (SNAD) and was originally granted a vested right to continue construction under certain special non-SNAD rules of the Zoning Resolution.

July 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. closed a two-part real estate transaction involving a $4,500,000 refinancing for a commercial property on the Upper East Side and a simultaneous sale of development rights transaction involving the same property.

June 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the operation of “The Cliffs,” an indoor rock climbing facility within an existing building in Long Island City. The rock climbing facility is considered a physical culture establishment pursuant to the Zoning Resolution and therefore required a special permit. The nearly 36,000 square foot facility is the company’s first expansion into the New York City market following its successful operation in Westchester, New York.

June 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. secured a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals to legalize the operation of an existing Wendy’s fast food restaurant with an accessory drive-through facility in a residential area of the Bronx.

June 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a 10-year extension of term from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a variance previously granted pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, to permit continued Use Group 6 retail use on the first floor of a five-story building in an R-8B district.

June 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the enlargement of an existing single-family home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn contrary to floor area restrictions in an R3-1 zoning district. In addition to floor area, the approval also allowed waivers for side yards and perimeter wall height.

May 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the construction of a 4-story multi-family building on a former industrial site in Mill Basin, Brooklyn. The approved building has 54,615 square feet of floor area, 48 apartments and required waivers for use of the applicable floor area, height and yard requirements.

May 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. closed a zoning lot merger and development rights transaction involving properties in Midtown Manhattan.

May 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. secured an amendment to a previously granted special permit to allow the conversion of an existing automotive service stations repair bays into an accessory convenience store. The grant also permitted the applicant to add two additional pump islands to the site.

May 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. closed a zoning lot merger and development rights transaction involving properties in Midtown Manhattan.

May 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a ten-year extension of term from the Board of Standards and Appeals of a previously approved appeal pursuant to Multiple Dwelling Law Section 310 to permit continued use of a superintendent’s apartment in the cellar of an existing residential building.

April 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a two-year extension of time to complete construction and a waiver of the Board’s rules from the Board of Standards and Appeals, permitting completion of construction pursuant to a variance originally approved in 2001 which permitted Use Group 2 residential use on the top three floors of a 4-story manufacturing building in Community District 1 in Brooklyn. If the waiver and extension of time were not granted, the owner would have been required to file a completely new variance application.

April 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, to permit the enlargement of a non-conforming Use Group 4 dentist’s office located in an R1-2 zoning district in Community District 11 in Queens.

April 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. negotiated a sewer easement with the Department of Environmental Protection, subsequently finalized and recorded.

April 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. represented the purchaser of development rights for a potential new project on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.

March 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the owner of a property in creating an “air parcel” reserving the unused development rights and enabling the owner to sell the building while retaining the development rights for future transfer.

March 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. provided zoning opinion review for institutional lender in connection with financing for major development project in lower Manhattan.

March 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an additional two-year extension of time to complete construction and obtain a certificate of occupancy, pursuant to ZR Section 11-332(a), to vest rights and renew Department of Buildings building permits in order to construct a six-story residential building with 57 dwelling units in the Rockaway neighborhood of Queens.

March 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. provided zoning analysis for owner of a SoHo property.

March 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an additional two-year extension of time to complete construction and obtain a certificate of occupancy, pursuant to ZR Section 11-332(a), to vest rights and renew Department of Buildings (DOB) building permits in order to construct a six-story residential building with 57 dwelling units in the Rockaway neighborhood of Queens.

February 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the owner of a mixed-use development in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in connection with securing a 421-a tax exemption for the residential portion of the building. Sheldon Lobel, P.C had previously secured a tax exemption for the commercial portion of the building under the City’s Industrial and Commercial Incentive Program (ICIP).

February 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the operation of a Use Group 6 eating and drinking establishment in a portion of the cellar and first floor of an existing two-story and cellar building, in violation of use regulations of the subject M1-5B zoning district in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan.

February 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully argued for the dismissal of multiple Criminal Court summonses issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation against a nationwide automotive retail and service establishment.

February 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. secured a variance for a single family home in the East Elmhurst section of Queens.

February 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a use variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to legalize Use Group 6 retail use on the first floor and cellar of a building within an M1-5B zoning district in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District.

February 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the operation of a Barry’s Bootcamp fitness center (a Physical Culture Establishment, or PCE) in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Manhattan.

February 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. provided zoning and special district analysis to client seeking to acquire property and development rights in the vicinity of the High Line Transfer Corridor section of the Special West Chelsea District.

January 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented Ultra Flex Packaging Corp. in obtaining a certification from the CPC pursuant to Section 44-27 of the Zoning Resolution to waive the required parking for the enlargement to an existing manufacturing building. The certification permitted the addition of approximately 13,000 square feet of floor area, which would have required 21 parking spaces without CPC approval.

January 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit commercial retail use within an existing non-conforming building in a residential zoning district. The building had been used as a meat processing plant; however, this non-conforming use had been discontinued for over two years and, as a result, the conversion to retail use was not permitted as-of-right.

January 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to legalize Use Group 6 retail use on the first floor and cellar of the existing two-story and cellar building, in violation of use regulations of the subject M1-5B zoning district in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District.

January 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to waive inner court regulations to permit the construction of a mixed-use Use Group 2 affordable housing building with ground floor commercial use in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The original building had been destroyed by fire, and with the variance, the building could be built with an additional floor.

January 2013 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the enlargement of an existing Use Group 4 house of worship occupied by the Oversea Chinese Mission located within a C6-2 zoning district, in Manhattan Community District 2. The variance waived floor area and lot coverage requirements to allow the infill of an existing light well in a building within the Special Little Italy District.

January 2013 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. conducted view diligence for prospective purchaser of high floor apartment in new residential tower under construction in Midtown Manhattan.

December 2012 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a special permit from the CPC, pursuant to ZR Section 74-921 to allow Use Group 4A community facility occupied by Bailey House to be located within an M1-1 zoning district, in Manhattan Community District 11.

December 2012 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a two-year extension of time from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to secure a Certificate of Occupancy in connection with a previously-approved variance, which permitted the operation of a one-story public parking garage for no more than 150 cars in an R7-1 zoning district.

November 2012 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a certification from the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission (CPC) pursuant to Section 25-35 of the Zoning Resolution waiving the parking requirement for a new Hindu temple to be constructed in South Richmond Hill, Queens. This certification allows the waiver of required parking for a house of worship provided over 75% of all congregants live within a ¾-mile radius of the proposed building.

November 2012 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 72-21 to permit the construction of a new 12-story residential, supportive housing building in the East Concourse neighborhood of the Bronx, with a church on the ground floor. Built on a triangular lot, the building required waivers of floor area, lot coverage, height and number of dwelling units.

November 2012 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a special permit from NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-622 (Enlargements of single- and two-family detached and semi-detached residences), to permit the enlargement of an existing home in Community District 15 in Brooklyn. The special permit allowed the applicant to build a home with almost double the floor area permitted as-of-right.

October 2012 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, to permit the construction of a synagogue at the Premises to house Congregation Bet Yaakob in Brooklyn. The site, which was split between 3 separate zoning districts, required 11 different bulk waivers in order to accommodate a growing congregation.

September 2012 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. secured a vested or grandfathered right for a project commenced prior to a 2009 zoning change (R6 to R3X) to continue construction under the R6 zoning.

September 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, waiving ZR Sections 24-36 (Minimum Required Rear Yards) and 24-11 (Maximum Floor Area Ratio and Percentage of Lot Coverage) to permit the enlargement of an existing synagogue to house the Kleinman Family Holocaust Educational Center.

August 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment of a previously granted NYC Board of Standards and Appealsvariance to permit the enlargement of a fitness center located within a C1-2 zoning district in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Fitness centers, which are defined as physical culture establishments under the Zoning Resolution, are only permitted by special permit; however, the special permit was not available in C1 zoning districts thereby necessitating the variance approval.

August 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, waiving ZR Sections 24-521 (Front setbacks in districts where front yards are required) and 22-321 (Nameplates or identification signs) to permit the construction of a new accessory athletic center for The Mary Louis Academy, an all-girls school in Queens that maintains the largest girls athletics program in New York City.

August 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully vacated several Criminal Court default judgments that were entered in connection with Summonses issued by the Fire Department of New York. The charges were subsequently reduced from misdemeanors to Administrative Code violations.

August 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-622 (Enlargements of single- and two-family detached and semi-detached residences), to enlarge a single-family attached residence located in an R4-1 zoning district, and to legalize conversion of the basement garage to residential floor area in Community District 10 in Brooklyn.

July 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Department of City Planning, pursuant to ZR Section 74-712 (Developments in Historic Districts), to modify the height regulations of Sections 23-633 (Street wall location and height and setback regulations in certain districts) and 23-692 (Height limitations for narrow buildings or enlargements) to facilitate the development of a new nine-story residential building in the Tribeca East Historic District.

July 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented a house of worship in connection with obtaining a $10 million loan secured by church property located in Brooklyn, New York. The transaction required the approval of both the New York State Attorney General and the New York State Supreme Court.

July 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to legalize the conversion of a mosque (Masjid al-Taufiq) in the Elmhurst section of Queens, which was contrary to ZR Sections 24-11 (Maximum Floor Area Ratio and Percentage of Lot Coverage), 24-34 (Minimum Required Front Yards) and 24-35 (Minimum Required Side Yards).

July 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance grant to permit the enlargement of an existing building occupied by a synagogue (Use Group 4) and accessory rabbi’s apartment. The proposed enlargement of the building did not comply with the underlying R4-1 zoning district regulations for lot coverage, height and setback, front yard, side yards, rear yard, and distance between windows and lot lines.

July 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a rehearing of a withdrawn NYC Board of Standards and Appeals variance application filed pursuant to ZR Section 72-21, to permit the construction of a Use Group 2 residential building located within a split M1-2 and C2-3/R6 zoning district in Brooklyn.

July 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an amendment from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to a previously-granted BSA variance to allow the enclosure of an open areaway, which increased the already non-complying floor area of an existing school building in Community Board 12 in Brooklyn.

July 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-50 (Special Provisions Applying Along District Boundaries), waiving the rear yard requirements of ZR Section 33-29 to allow the construction of a new two-story and mezzanine commercial building in Hamilton Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.

June 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR 73-36 (Physical Culture or Health Establishments), to permit the continued operation of a physical culture establishment (Powerhouse Gym) in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens.

May 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. assisted in obtaining a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-36 (Physical Culture or Health Establishments), to permit the operation of a 50,000 sf health club and space (physical culture establishment or PCE) in the College Point neighborhood of Queens.

May 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-622 (Enlargements of single- and two-family detached and semi-detached residences), to permit the enlargement of an existing home in Community District 15 in Brooklyn.

May 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment to a previously-approved Board of Standards and Appeals variance application to permit changes to the interior layout of an approved 12-story mixed-use building in Flushing, Queens, including an increase in dwelling units and parking spaces and a reduction in medical office floor space.

May 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of time from the Board of Standards and Appeals to complete construction and to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy in connection with conversion of an existing building from manufacturing lofts to residential use in the Madison Square North Historic District of Manhattan.

April 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully represented an architect before the Environmental Control Board resulting in the dismissal of six Notices of Violation, two of which were issued as Class 1 violations, with zero penalties.

March 2012 – After filing an Article 78 action challenging a decision by the Environmental Control Board, Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a Stipulation of Discontinuance in which the Environmental Control Board dismissed violations issued against the respondent totaling $36,000.

March 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR section 73-622, to permit the enlargement of an existing home in Community Board 15 in Brooklyn.

February 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals permitting the continued use of a transient parking garage in a residential building in Manhattan.

January 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a certification from the Chair of the City Planning Commission pursuant to Section 25-35 of the Zoning Resolution to waive the parking requirement for an enlargement of a Hindu temple on Kissena Boulevard in Flushing, Queens.

January 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an amendment of a prior variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to enlarge a 230,000 square foot nursing care facility.

January 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit to enlarge a house located in Brooklyn, which allows a house of approximately 6,200 square feet.

January 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-622, to permit the enlargement of an existing home in Community Board 14 in Brooklyn.

January 2012 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals permitting the continued use of a transient parking garage in a residential building in Manhattan.

December 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an amendment from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, approving the addition of a sub-cellar and other changes to a previously-approved variance that permitted construction of a religious school in a manufacturing district in Brooklyn.

December 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured common law vested rights for two unrelated projects to proceed under the pre-zoning change R6 zoning after being down-zoned pursuant to the Sunnyside-Woodside Rezoning.

December 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term of a variance for an auto dealership partially located in a residential zoning district located on Northern Boulevard in Queens.

December 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term and an amendment from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals for a previously-approved variance that permitted the operation of a UG 16 woodworking shop in a residential district in Queens. The amendment permitted a change of use to a UG 16 general contractor’s establishment, the enclosure of a mezzanine to create a second floor and changes to the hours of operation and screening requirements.

December 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-622, to permit the enlargement of an existing home in Community Board 15 in Brooklyn.

November 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of term from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals permitting the continued use of a transient parking garage in a residential building in Manhattan.

November 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-622, to permit the enlargement of an existing home in Community Board 15 in Brooklyn.

November 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured final approval from the City Council for modifications to a Restrictive Declaration recorded against a property in Brooklyn. The modifications allow certain automotive uses at the site that are permitted in the subject zoning district but that had previously been prohibited by the terms of the Restrictive Declaration.

October 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the purchaser of a $1,500,000 condominium unit in Manhattan.

October 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an approval from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals pursuant to General City Law Section 36 to construct a 6-story multifamily building in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.

October 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in securing common law vested rights for the completion of a residential project in the Jamaica section of Queens. The project had been stalled since July 2007 and was sold to a new owner prior to filing the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals application.

October 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to a previously-approved variance that permitted commercial use in a residential district. The amendment allowed interim use of the commercial building by a community facility while preserving the variance for future occupancy by a commercial use.

September 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals and further amended the special permit to reduce the required parking for Use Group 6 professional offices.

September 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the enlargement of an existing semi-detached home in Community Board 12 in Brooklyn in violation of certain yard and floor area requirements, citing the narrowness of the lot as a basis for uniqueness.

September 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to ZR Section 73-622, to permit the enlargement of an existing home in Community Board 14 in Brooklyn.

August 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance to permit the construction of a ten-story multi-family residential building in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx. Our office was able to use the property’s unique physical features to justify waivers of the underlying floor area and yard regulations.

July 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals under Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution to permit the operation of a Barry’s Bootcamp fitness studio in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

July 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to nearly double the square footage of an existing nursing care facility located in Queens.

June 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant from the Board of Standards and Appeals, under Sections 11-411 and 11-412 of the Zoning Resolution to re-instate and modify a variance permitting the operation of an automotive service station in a C1-4/R7-1 district which expired in 1986. The modification allowed the legalization of a new car wash use and the enlargement of the service station building.

Since May 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. has obtained special permits pursuant to Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution to permit the operation of 15 new Planet Fitness locations throughout New York City.

May 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received a favorable determination from the New York State Supreme Court in an Article 78 action filed against the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) seeking to overturn its denial of the petitioner’s Master Rigger and Master Sign Hanger licenses. The Supreme Court decision vacated the denial and remanded the matter to DCAS for further investigation regarding petitioner’s qualifications.

April 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance to permit the development of a multi-family residential building and the enlargement of an existing commercial structure on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The approved buildings were contrary to the property’s R3-2 zoning.

March 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to legalize the extension of a non-conforming restaurant use in a residential zone in Brooklyn.

March 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. extended the term of a variance permitting public parking in a building on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The building requires a variance for public parking since it is located partially within a residential use district.

March 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to legalize the enlargement of a synagogue in the Kew Gardens Hills area of Queens. The variance permitted waivers of front yard, rear yard, side yards and parking.

February 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit both to legalize the enlargement and to allow the additional expansion of a single-family home in the Midwood area of Brooklyn.

February 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a use variance from NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to allow general retail uses, including eating and drinking, on the ground floor and below, in a manufacturing district in the SoHo area of Manhattan, where such use is not permitted as-of-right on the ground floor.

January 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment to a previously issued variance to permit the operation of a school on several floors of a church building in College Point, Queens.

January 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an extension of a variance that permits the operation of a gasoline service station on Astoria Boulevard in Queens.

January 2011 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for an existing parking garage in Manhattan.

December 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the owner of a 69 residential unit building located in Manhattan in a mortgage refinancing transaction to secure a $9,975,000 loan.

December 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a use variance from NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to permit a restaurant on the ground floor in a manufacturing district in the SoHo area of Manhattan, where such use is not permitted as-of-right on the ground floor.

December 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a bulk variance for a religious school in Queens. After the firm requested an expedited review, the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals granted the variance 2 months after filing of the application.

December 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance from NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to install an elevator in an enclosed courtyard of a residential co-op building in Manhattan.

November 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a sign-off from the Bronx Borough Commissioner of the Department of Buildings that a post-zoning change plan amendment did not invalidate a pre-zoning change foundation permit.

November 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. appeared in New York City Criminal Court representing the owner of several public parking garages located in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan.

October 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained
(1) an extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, and
(2) amendments to change the operator, hours of operation and interior modifications, for a gym in the Parkchester area of the Bronx.

October 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a bulk variance to permit the construction of a detached two-family home in the Astoria area of Queens.

October 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals, under Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution, to legalize the operation of a gym in Downtown Brooklyn.

October 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals, under Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution, permitting the operation of a gym in the Canarsie area of Brooklyn.

October 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully vacated a 5-year old default decision from the Environmental Control Board, re-opened the hearing, and successfully negotiated a stipulation with the Department of Environmental Protection for an extremely reduced penalty. The total penalty amount was reduced from approximately $36,000 to $1,500.

September 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an amendment and extension of term for a variance which had been expired for nearly 30 years to operate a woodworking shop in a residential zone in the Woodhaven neighborhood of Queens.

September 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to operate an eating and drinking establishment with an accessory drive-through facility in the Pelham Bay area of the Bronx.

September 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a bulk variance from NYC Board of Standards and Appeals for a four-story and mezzanine building for use as a synagogue in the Borough Park area of Brooklyn. The variance permitted waivers of lot coverage, rear yard and front wall height.

September 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals, under Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution, to legalize the operation of a gym in the Fordham Heights neighborhood in the Bronx.

September 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of time to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals for a warehouse and storage use in Brooklyn. The grant also allowed the expansion of the use and facilitated a tax lot subdivision.

August 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals for the operation of a fitness center on Eckford Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.

August 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was discussed in an Article in New York Times Real Estate Section. A copy of the NY Times article can be accessed here. The article examined the legal battle behind obtaining a private garage for a residential townhouse owner on the Upper East Side.

August 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained approval for the operation of a day spa on Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

August 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. extended the term of a special permit allowing the operation of a gasoline service station and convenience store on Forest Avenue in Staten Island.

August 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals for a charter school in a manufacturing zone in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn.

August 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a Certificate of No Effect from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to legalize an illuminated sign on a landmark site in Manhattan.

August 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a use variance to permit commercial use in a vacant church split by residential and commercial zoning districts.

July 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the owner of a car wash and oil change facility located on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn before the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals. The application extended the use variance that permits the operation of the car wash in a non-conforming use district, as well as legalized modifications to the size and layout of the car wash building.

July 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals, under Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution, to legalize the operation of a gym in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens.

July 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured approval of a fourteen-story mixed-use building that exceeded the height limitations of the Zoning Resolution. The building, which will have approximately 140 affordable apartments, is being built in connection with the redevelopment of Municipal Parking Lot 1 in downtown Flushing, Queens. The proposed building required a special permit pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 73-66 since it is located within the designated flight obstruction area surrounding LaGuardia Airport.

June 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented a national auto rental company in criminal court in connection with a Fire Department violation. We successfully vacated a prior default judgment and secured a reduction of the associated charge and penalty, resulting in a minimal fine.

June 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the purchaser of a $2,200,000 condominium unit in Manhattan.

June 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) special permit for the operation of a health club in Astoria, Queens. As per Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution, a BSA special permit is generally required for the operation of a health club anywhere in New York City.

May 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a use variance under Section 72-21 of the Zoning Resolution permitting commercial parking in a residential building’s accessory parking garage in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. The property was located in a residential zoning district, which does not permit commercial parking as-of-right.

April 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals, under Section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution, permitting the operation of a gym in Midtown Manhattan.

March 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in securing a favorable interpretation of certain curb level regulations from the Department of Buildings (“DOB”) regarding a complex site having four street frontages and totaling approximately 36,000 square feet of lot area. The interpretation was issued after extensive discussions with the Bronx Borough Commissioner and the DOB Office of Technical Affairs.

March 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a use variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit construction of a five-story, 99,000-square foot religious school within a manufacturing zoning district in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn. A school was not permitted as-of-right within the manufacturing district.

February 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received an authorization from the City Planning Commission (“CPC”) to allow one off-street accessory parking space for a residential townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The CPC authorization, issued pursuant to Section 13-551 of the Zoning Resolution, allowed the property owner to install a curb cut providing access to a one-car garage located on the lower level of the building.

February 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. reinstated a use variance permitting the operation of an automotive service station in a residential use district. The variance issued for the property had been expired for over 20 years.

February 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a Letter of Substantial Compliance from the Board of Standards and Appeals, which permitted the proposed buyer of a physical culture establishment in Manhattan to operate the existing spa.

February 2010 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in securing variances from the Board of Standards and Appeals for floor area, parking and unit density for a 174-unit assisted living facility in Brooklyn.

December 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in securing statutory vested rights under Section 11-331 of the Zoning Resolution for a 65-unit hotel in the Laurelton section of Queens.

December 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. negotiated a stay of a Department of Buildings’ Order of Closure, which sought to cease truck parking use at a property located within a residential district.

December 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a use and bulk variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals permitting the construction of a nine-story, 78,000-square foot community facility building, containing 104 supportive housing units, on a split manufacturing and residential zoning lot in the Crotona Park section of the Bronx.

November 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in securing common law vested rights for a 14-unit residential project in the Jamaica section of Queens.

November 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented a gym at an Environmental Control Board hearing for operating contrary to a certificate of occupancy. We were able to get the violation dismissed by establishing that its Class 1 categorization was improper.

October 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a use variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit a two-story enlargement to an existing two-story building, for a drug treatment facility located within a manufacturing zoning district in the Richmond Hill section of Queens. A drug treatment facility was not permitted within the manufacturing district as-of-right.

September 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received a favorable determination from the Appellate Division, Second Department, which upheld a lower court determination in an Article 78 action against the Board of Standards and Appeals. The original NYC Board of Standards and Appeals decision denied the special permit application of an owner wishing to enlarge his home in the Manhattan Beach section of Brooklyn. A copy of the Court’s decision is available by clicking here.

September 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully defended the owner of a charter bus company in a Department of Buildings’ padlock proceeding at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. By establishing that bus parking was a non-conforming use, the firm secured the owner’s right to continue using the premises for commercial vehicle parking.

August 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of time to complete construction and obtain a certificate of occupancy for a synagogue in the Kew Gardens Hills neighborhood of Queens.

August 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a City Planning Commission certification waiving the parking requirements for a locally-oriented house of worship in Hollis, Queens.

July 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to section 73-44 of the Zoning Resolution, to reduce the parking requirements for a new ten-story commercial and medical office building in downtown Flushing, Queens. The special permit reduced the number of required parking spaces from 165 to 102 spaces.

June 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a bulk variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the construction of a nine-story, 28,000-square foot community facility building, containing 53 supportive housing units, on a residential zoning lot in the Parade Ground section of Brooklyn. The variance permitted a six-foot reduction in a required rear yard.

June 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in securing additional time to complete the construction of 15 luxury single family homes in the Riverdale section of the Bronx under the vested rights’ provisions of Section 11-332 of the Zoning Resolution. It was necessary for the property owner to obtain vested rights, as the construction was no longer as-of-right due to a rezoning in the area of the homes.

June 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in securing additional time to complete construction, under the vested rights’ provisions of Section 11-332 of the Zoning Resolution, for two separate projects in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn.

June 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a special permit pursuant to Section 73-621 of the Zoning Resolution for a 10% enlargement to the floor area of a restaurant located in a mixed-use building in Park Slope.

May 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals pursuant to section 73-36 of the Zoning Resolution to legalize the operation of a day spa (Physical Culture Establishment) in an existing building in lower Manhattan.

April 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an extension of the term of an expired variance to permit the continued operation of a commercial bakery and manufacturing establishment in an R4 zoning district in the Bronx.

April 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to Section 36 of the General City Law, to permit the construction of a five-story, eight-unit residential building in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn. The property did not have frontage on an officially mapped street.

April 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. successfully protested a transfer tax imposed by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance on a synagogue in Brooklyn.

March 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained an extension of the term of a variance for a Midtown Manhattan parking garage. The application also secured an amendment to the variance, permitting 97 additional parking spaces and mechanical lifts in the garage.

March 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant from the Board of Standards and Appeals, under Sections 11-411 and 11-413 of the Zoning Resolution, to re-instate and modify a variance which expired in 2004. The modification allowed a change of use from a knitting mill to a contractor’s establishment in an R5B zoning district.

February 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a bulk variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the construction of a two-story and attic synagogue in an R2 residential zoning district within the Midwood section of Brooklyn. The variance permitted waivers of floor area, lot coverage, front yard, side yard and parking.

January 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a bulk and use variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals legalizing the construction of a four-story community facility in an M1-2 manufacturing district within the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn. The variance permitted waivers of use, rear yard and parking.

January 2009 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a reconsideration from the Department of Buildings, which resulted in the lifting of a stop work order for a multi-family residential development in the Bronx.

December 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals, pursuant to Section 73-622 of the Zoning Resolution which permitted construction of a 7,900-square foot home within the Midwood section of Brooklyn. The special permit allowed waivers of floor area, open space, side yard and rear yard.

December 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in an Article 78 action against the City, overturning a decision of the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals which denied the grant of a special permit for the enlargement of a residential building in the Manhattan Beach section of Brooklyn.

December 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the developer of a large residential building in handling complex vesting and zoning lot merger issues at the Department of Buildings.

October 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. negotiated and closed a transfer of development rights transaction involving access and occupation easements as well as cantilevering one building over the other in connection with the development of a proposed Midtown office tower.

October 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in an Article 78 action against the Department of City Planning. A judge overturned a DCP decision which denied a homeowner on Manhattan’s Upper East Side the opportunity to file an application for an off-street parking space. The decision directed DCP to accept the application for reasonable review.

October 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the purchaser of a home in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.

October 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a positive interpretation from the Technical Affairs division of DOB allowing for the opening of a major gallery/museum facility in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan.

September 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals permitting the construction of a three-story multi-family residential building containing 24 units in a single-family zoning district in the Douglaston section of Queens.

August 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. negotiated the last-minute exclusion of Yeshiva controlled property from the Far Rockaway rezoning.

August 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a determination that owner had a common law vested right to complete the construction of a six-story, 27-unit residential building. The development had received a stop work order as a result of the Briarwood rezoning in Queens.

August 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals allowing a homeowner to build a 7,800-square foot house. The property, located in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, could only be built with a 4,000-square foot house as-of-right.

July 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the seller of a property in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Sheldon Lobel, P.C. had previously represented the owner of said property in obtaining a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to facilitate the construction of a single-family residence on a substandard zoning lot, as well as secured CPC approval under the Special Natural Area District regulations to allow certain minimal slope disturbance.

June 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. extended the term of a variance that permits the operation of a public parking garage in the cellar of a large condominium building in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan.

April 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals permitting the operation of a Curves fitness establishment in the Springfield Gardens neighborhood of Queens.

April 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a decision from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals rescinding a DOB stop work order and extending the time to complete the foundation of a major development pursuant to Section 11-331 of the Zoning Resolution. The development had received the stop work order as a result of its non-compliance with the new district regulations enacted by the Jamaica rezoning in Queens.

March 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant of a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to build a six-story religious school in a split manufacturing and residential zoning district in Borough Park. Although the zoning districts would only permit a two-story building, we successfully argued that the needs of the school required additional program space.

March 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured a decision from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals that the developer of a 16-story, residential and community facility building in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn had a common law vested right to proceed with construction pursuant to the zoning in place prior to the Fort Green-Clinton Hill rezoning.

March 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a variance legalizing the operation of an auto-body shop located in a former movie theater building in a residential zoning district in the Howard Beach section of Queens.

February 2008 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant of a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to allow the ground floor of a building located in a restricted manufacturing district in SoHo to be used for a restaurant. Although the zoning district did not permit this use as-of-right, we successfully argued that the property’s unique physical conditions did not permit the property to be used productively for manufacturing.

November 2007 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit permitting the operation of a physical culture establishment for Silk Day Spa, a luxury day spa in Greenwich Village.

September 2007 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. was successful in obtaining the approval of the City Council for a rezoning on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The rezoning application, filed with the Department of City Planning, changed an R5 zoning district to an R6A zoning district.

July 2007 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. negotiated and closed a transfer of development rights transaction enabling the developer of an overbuilt condominium to secure a Certificate of Occupancy.

May 2007 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. secured an extension of time to complete construction pursuant to Section 11-332 of the Zoning Resolution for a 15-acre, 15- luxury home development in the Fieldston section of the Bronx.

September 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented Hess Corporation in obtaining a grant from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the reconfiguration of an existing gasoline and automotive service station to a gasoline station with an accessory “Hess Express” convenience store.

September 2006 – The NYC Board of Standards and Appeals granted an application filed by Sheldon Lobel, P.C. to permit the construction of a four-story, 20-unit residential building in a M1-1 zoning district.

September 2006 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a grant from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals pursuant to Section 36 of the General City Law to permit the construction of a four family home not fronting on an officially mapped street.

August 2006 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. obtained a grant from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals pursuant to Section 35 of the General City Law to permit the construction of one 2-story, one family home located within the bed of a mapped street.

August 2006 – Sheldon Lobel P.C. represented a church in a merger of religious corporations and a subsequent closing of a $360,000.00 mortgage bond financing.

July 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a Certification from the Department of City Planning pursuant to Section 62-711 (Waterfront Public Access and Visual Corridors) and 62-712 (Zoning Lot Subdivision) of the Zoning Resolution in connection with a proposed residential development consisting of sixteen 3-family homes on six proposed zoning lots.

July 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented Janine Realty, LLC in obtaining an amendment to a prior variance allowing the conversion of three floors in a commercial office building to residential use.

June 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals pursuant to Section 35 of the General City Law to permit the construction of two semi-detached, two-family homes located within the bed of a mapped street.

May 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented The Lantern Group, a not-for-profit organization devoted to the development of affordable housing in New York City, in obtaining a variance to permit the construction of an eight-story, ninety-five unit building to be used for affordable housing in the Bronx.

May 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals an extension of time to proceed with construction pursuant to Zoning Resolution § 11-332.

April 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals under Sections 11-411 and 11-413 of the Zoning Resolution to re-instate and modify a variance which expired in 1993 to permit the operation of an automotive repair station in a R8/C1-4 zoning district.

April 2006 – the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals granted an application brought by Sheldon Lobel, P.C. for a special permit to legalize the enlargement of a detached single-family dwelling in an R2 zoning district.

March 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant of a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to permit the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment on the second floor mezzanine of a building located within a C6-X zoning district in Midtown Manhattan.

March 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented the owner in obtaining a grant from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals pursuant to Section 36 of the General City Law to permit the construction and enlargement of an existing one-family dwelling, not fronting on an officially mapped street.

February 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a successful “pre-consideration” at the DOB waiving the requirement for an on-site loading berth for a new Circuit City retail store in Brooklyn.

February 2006 – the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals granted an amendment to an existing variance pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 11-413 to allow a change from Use Group 16 warehouse to Use Group 9 music studio. The grant also included adding two residential units on the referenced Premises.

January 2006 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the Board of Standards and Appeals to legalize the existing accessory drive-through window at a Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits in Brooklyn.

December 2005 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a special permit from the City Planning Commission to permit a Use Group 6 on the ground floor and cellar of an M1-5B building pursuant to Zoning Resolution Section 74-781.

October 2005 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. obtained a grant under Section 11-331 from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals renewing an expired building permit and extending the time to complete the foundation of a project under construction at the time of a downzoning.

October 2005 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received approval of an application filed with the Department of City Planning for a zoning map change establishing a C2-3 overlay within an existing R3-2 zoning district.

June 2005 – the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals granted a special permit to allow accessory parking on the rooftop of a building to be occupied by an as-of-right catering hall in an M1-1 zoning district.

May 2005 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. met with a Deputy Commissioner in the Queens office of the DOB and successfully had a stop work order lifted under Zoning Resolution § 11-331, enabling a homeowner to obtain the Certificate of Occupancy for his enlarged home.

April of 2005 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. received a variance grant from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to allow a physical culture establishment use in the cellar, cellar mezzanine and part of the first floor of an existing commercial building, located in a C1-2 zoning district.

March 2005 – Sheldon Lobel, P.C. represented an applicant in obtaining a variance from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals under Section 72-21 of the Zoning Resolution to permit the construction of two residential and one commercial building on two vacant lots in a M3-1 zoning district.