At what should have been a quiet and short Land Use Committee Meeting of Community Board 8, the last item drew some criticism of Stagg Developers and a surprise resolution on the application for a 421A partial tax exemption.
Two of the five items on the agenda were cancelled, and the next two were short matters to houses in the Special Nature Area of CB 8. The last Item was for a 421A partial tax exemption from Stagg Developers for their new building at 5959 Broadway at West 242nd Street.
Ms. Kathleen Bradshaw represented Stagg Developers to discuss the request for a 421A tax exemption. She said the six story building would have commercial space on the first floor to which a tenant has not been found yet. The second floor would be occupied by a charter school, not naming which one. She then went on to discuss the 72 units that would be for rent at an average 80% AMI or around $1,292.00 per unit depending on the size. There will be 14 studio apartment ranging from 500 square feet to 520 square feet. 55 one bedroom apartments ranging from 501 square feet to 571 square feet. there would also be 3 two bedroom apartments for a total of 72 units on the remaining four floors. When asked how many parking spaces the building would have the answer was 36. As for the charter school there would be seven or eight classrooms, and the entrance would be separate from the building and on West 242nd Street.
CB 8 Land Use Chair Charles Moerdler had some questions which Ms. Bradshaw could not answer. One was if this building which was being presented as a Market Rate rental building would be changed into a homeless shelter as Stagg developers did with a building several blocks down on Broadway. Ms. Bradshaw tried to convince the committee that would not be the case, whereas Chair Moerdler snapped back that he has seen how Mr. Mark Stagg works, and would seek asurrences that this building be a rental building for at least three years.
After several questions by board members and members of the public, Chair Moerdler hesitantly came forth with a proposed resolution whereas the board would approve the 421A application. When he asked for a second to his resolution there were no takers. Chair Moerdler then stepped back and presented a resolution calling for disapproval of the 421 A application. This resolution was quickly seconded, and all but one board member present voted to affirm the resolution.
It should be noted that there was no quorum of Community Board 8 Land Use members present, but that will not stop the resolution from coming before the full board on Tuesday night to be voted on.
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