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ZBA continues garage-to-unit proposal at 19 Amsterdam amid neighborhood opposition
Summary
A request to convert a garage into a full second dwelling at 19 Amsterdam Avenue was continued to Nov. 18 after applicants explained the need to house elderly family members and board members and neighbors voiced opposition to a permanent two-family conversion in a Residence A zone.
The Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 23 continued an application from Farzana Hakim to convert an existing garage at 19 Amsterdam Avenue into two bedrooms and a bathroom that would result in a full second unit, effectively changing the single-family dwelling into a two-family property.
Applicant Farzana Hakim and her family described medical and caregiving reasons for the request. Hakim said the conversion is intended to accommodate elderly parents and in-laws with medical needs; she emphasized the change is for family care and not for commercial rental. "The hardship in this case is not a financial convenience, but a genuine family and medical need," Hakim said, noting the household includes three parents above age 70.
Board members expressed concern about creating a locked-off, long-term two-family unit in a Residence A district. One board member told the applicant, "You bought a house in Residence A. You don't get a 2-family in Residence A today," and advised the applicant to meet with the building department to explore alternatives that keep the house a single-family residence while accommodating additional bedrooms. The board suggested the applicant revise plans so the space is not a separable apartment and scheduled further review.
Neighbors spoke in opposition, saying they did not want a two-family in the neighborhood and urging the board to deny a permanent conversion. The applicant’s architect and the board worked through options and set a schedule for revised drawings. The board voted to continue the matter to Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.; the transcript records the board instructing the applicant to submit revised drawings by Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. for a related item and to meet with building staff to resolve technical issues.
No final decision to approve or deny the variance was made at the Sept. 23 hearing.
