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Board approves project changes at 510 West State Street after applicant shrinks building to honor easement and relocates transformer
Summary
The board approved proposed site and design shifts for the mixed-use project at 510 West State Street and MLK Jr. Boulevard, noting an easement between 510 and 512 State Street and a transformer/gas-infrastructure relocation. The board added a condition requiring drawings that restrict access to a narrow eastern light well.
The Planning and Development Board approved revised site changes for the mixed-use building at 510 West State Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on March 25 after hearing that an easement discovered during financing required shrinking and shifting part of the building.
Project representatives told the board that the building had received initial entitlements in 2022 and recently secured financing through New York State Homes and Community Renewal. During project closing, the design team discovered an easement that runs between 510 and 512 State Street, which required shifting and reducing portions of the building footprint. The team also reported that NYSEG identified existing gas infrastructure near the planned transformer pad, so the transformer and playground locations were swapped and the building entry was moved to a side entrance.
The changes resulted in a modest reduction in a State Street elevation (roughly two feet in the width described in the presentation) and a requirement to reduce window area on a wall where the building comes within 5 feet of the property line. Project architects explained that, under applicable code provisions discussed at the meeting, when exterior walls are within 5 feet of an adjoining property line, the allowed glazed area drops from 25% to 15% unless alternate fire-rated methods are implemented; the team said the building is fully sprinklered and will meet the 15% limit.
Board members asked about signage, accessibility, the small east light well that narrowed to three feet and risk of unauthorized access. The board adopted a condition requiring submittal and staff approval of drawings that restrict access to the eastern light well so it is not publicly accessible except for maintenance. Staff said access restrictions may be handled at the staff level but that the item can be brought back to the board if needed.
Vote: Roll-call approval recorded unanimous yes from members present.
Why it matters: The revisions preserve required easement and utility clearances while retaining the project’s residential and ground-floor commercial program. The board’s condition on the east light well addresses safety and maintenance access.
Ending: The board approved the project changes and asked the applicant to coordinate the access-control drawings with planning staff prior to final sign-off.
