RE: OUR AUGUST 7TH POST BELOW, ANOTHER CRITICAL CHAPTER IN THE CARROLL GARDENS/COLUMBIA WATERFRONT REZONING
It was pointed out to us that we did not address the possibility of what is known as, "height factor" development permitted under the R6 classification in our last post.
It is true that R6 allows the developer a choice between Quality Housing (something that turns out shorter and squatter) or height factor, which has no real set number of feet limit, rather, insists upon parameters that include a compilation of calculations based on the size of the lot, the fulfillment of open space requirements and by its height alone, necessitates an elevator, which all translates into a reduced amount of living space on the lot---something which can seriously affect the developer's bottom line.
It would technically be possible for a developer to purchase multiple lots, adjacent to one another on an R6 designated street and attempt to build according to height factor regulations. But the chance of acquiring adjacent, multiple properties is slim and the cost quite prohibitive since the properties would probably have to be demolished and completely rebuilt within the parameters of the height factor regulations and their open space requirements.
Perhaps this explains why, with the exception of 100 Luquer Street, which is located off Hamilton Avenue, where the lot sizes are unusual and much larger than the average, normal brownstone lot size, there are no examples of height factor construction in Carroll Gardens.
