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Posted by Abe Lincoln on August 22, 2001 at 09:24:53:

I'm putting together a group of artists and small business owners to instigate a CLASS ACTION lawsuit against the NYC DOB for not enforcing existing CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES in SOHO and NOHO.

As a small business owner, it's hard to compete with high-income residential rent. CERTIFIED artists are the only people that should legitimately be living in commercial lofts. The rest of the lofts SHOULD be rented to small businesses, galleries, etc.

A NYC realtor told me that only 10% of the co-op boards that require artist certification actually ask for it for it's residences. Various NYC realtors have shown me commercial spaces and said... "it's ok to live here if you want... the landlord won't mind." Even though it breaks C of O.

I'm mad that zoning laws are being broken and I want to make a change. I've contacted various lawyers and have been compiling a list of specific violators. Again, I'm not going after specific co-ops, just the DOB for not enfocing the law.

thanks

Follow Ups:

• Buildings Department should Certify Artists?? Get real. Provost 08/22/01 (6)
  • Re: Buildings Department should Certify Artists?? Get real. Abey Baby 08/22/01 (5)
    • Re: Buildings Department should Certify Artists?? Get real. Provost 08/22/01 (4)
      • Re: Buildings Department should Certify Artists?? Get real. Jane 08/23/01 (0)
      • Re: Buildings Department should Certify Artists?? Get real. Seymour Duncan 08/22/01 (2)
        • Re: Buildings Department should Certify Artists?? Get real. Steve 08/25/01 (0)
        • Re: Buildings Department should Certify Artists?? Get real. Provost 08/22/01 (0)
• Re: NYC Department of Buildings LAWSUIT courtwatcher 08/22/01 (0)

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: I'm putting together a group of artists and small business owners to instigate a CLASS ACTION lawsuit against the NYC DOB for not enforcing existing CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCIES in SOHO and NOHO.  

: As a small business owner, it's hard to compete with high-income residential rent.  CERTIFIED artists are the only people that should legitimately be living in commercial lofts.  The rest of the lofts SHOULD be rented to small businesses, galleries, etc.

: A NYC realtor told me that only 10% of the co-op boards that require artist certification actually ask for it for it's residences.  Various NYC realtors have shown me commercial spaces and said... "it's ok to live here if you want... the landlord won't mind."  Even though it breaks C of O.

: I'm mad that zoning laws are being broken and I want to make a change.  I've contacted various lawyers and have been compiling a list of specific violators.  Again, I'm not going after specific co-ops, just the DOB for not enfocing the law.  

: thanks
:  


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