Thursday, January 25, 2007

Press Conference/Rally on Sunday

Council Member David Weprin invites you to attend a news conferences/rally to support legislation to be introduced next week (February 1) to:

1) Eliminate self certification for demolition and Type 1 Alteration permits, and
2) Require the same approval process for Type 1 Alteration permits as is currently required for Demolition permits.

[Info on both bills follow below]

*There may be a third bill that increases the penalties for violations involving both.

The City Hall news conference/rally takes place this Sunday, January 28, on the City Hall steps at 12:30 p.m. Please try to arrive at least 1/2 hour before. Be sure to bring identification if you come Sunday because their are police staffed security booths at City Hall.

Austin Shafran of the Councilman’s office is coordinating. Please RSVP to Austin at 718-465-8202, city hall: 212-788-6984 or by email if you have any questions.

LEGISLATION: To amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to the process for applying for a permit for a major alteration.

SUBMITTED BY:
Council Member David I. Weprin

PURPOSE: Several developers have found a loophole in the building permit process. By initially leaving one wall of a property intact, while dismantling everything else except the property’s foundation, they are able to apply for a Type 1 alteration (which shall be defined as “major alteration” in this legislation), rather than a demolition permit. This bill will codify the process of applying for Type 1 alteration (“major alteration”) and demolition permits by subjecting both to the same requirements, specifically for Class 1 properties (which is defined as one, two, and three-family dwellings).

LEGISLATION: To amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to eliminating self-certification of plans submitted to the department of buildings regarding demolitions and certain alterations.

SUBMITTED BY: Council Member David I. Weprin

PURPOSE:
This legislation will eliminate self-certification as a process of applying for permits relating to demolitions and Type 1 alterations (refer to LS 1783 and definition for “major alteration”). This bill will no longer allow for professional engineers (PE) or registered architects (RA) who are not employed with the department of buildings to self-certify any construction project that pertains to Type 1 alterations (“major alteration”) and demolitions.

It sounds like a positive thing. Maybe QC will go. Maybe we'll also pull the Councilman aside and ask him why he is accepting thousands upon thousands of dollars from developers?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is a type 1 permit?

Why doesn't he stop this across the board?

What are the enforcement provisions and will they be funded?

And my favorite, how easy would it be to get a 'variance?'

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure if it should be stopped across the board, but it does need some policing-then again doesn't the entire DOB?

They should put a building size limit on self certification (for example, 3 stories and under can have an architect self-certify) so the homeowner who wants to fix up his 3-6 family house can do so without having to wait 5 years for approval, spend every last dime he/she has, and argue with incompetent DOB workers every month.