119 Abbey Court is one of those homes that seems like it has been perpetually under construction. Recently it was hit with a full stop work order for awnings installed up to the street line.
For at least the the last seven years the property has been in a state of flux. Many moons ago there were pictures posted under the Gerritsen Memories messsage board, which have seemed to have disappeared now, however it showed a frame of a tremendous home built completly out of steel beams. Back then it drew the ire of residents calling it out of character. The frame literally sat there rusting for a few years under blue tarps, until the construction picked back up.
A few years later came the stucco and lots of it! The frame was finally able to look like a house. It looked pretty decent, but anything looked better than a steel frame.
Last month, the owner listed as “EVSEEF, EALJAHU”, decided to put up awnings but built them to the street line. As soon as they did that – DOB hit them with a Full Stop Work Order. Which has remained on the property.
The whole thing reminds us of Seasme Street skit “One of these things”
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If you let people build what ever they want, you'll get people who do not live in the neighborhood (or people who just don't give a shit) buying property and just cramming as many apts as they can where 1 house was without any consideration for parking or making Gerritsen Beach look like every other place in the city. Its happening all over Brooklyn and it kind of sucks. I'm glad we aren't like every other neighborhood in the city. It happens quite quickly…
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Well said Chris
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I hate this house.
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and pick the weeds!
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But leave the Shamrocks.
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I sense a lot of anger from you over a simple story over a house? Relax…
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No, it belongs in the West Bank!
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The facade on that house does not belong in a neighborhood like ours. Yes, some of the houses in the old section look like shanties, but that is a part of their charm. Since the neighborhood has a property owners associations, may they could instill some by-laws that would prevent the neighborhood homes from going into a direction that we do not favor. I am not saying that every house should only be the same five colors, but it would prevent tacky architectural facades from popping up.
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Don't like it? Leave and take your boy over there on Abby Ct with you.
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That's funny you say that since I grew up in Ozone Park. Therefore, thank you for the compliment.
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As long as it follow the building codes and the zoning laws your right.
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Yes, I do live in this country and I am not pleased with our country is turning out to be. I made the suggestions of such by-laws to preserve our neighborhood's standard of living. Is it not American to want this ideal for my neighbors, family, and friends? Should I, as well as others, just sit back and watch our neighborhood move in a direction that we are not happy with? Is that not within our scope of liberty or does that only apply to the yes-men of this country? I really admire that you would deny me my first amendment right while supporting Ealjahu Evseef's rights. You were making a very valid argument until you stated "all Americans, not only the ones with Irish last names." I ask you, sir, why would you say that? Were you trying to invalidate my argument because I have an Irish last name? One thing I love about this neighborhood is the style of homes which is attributed to Dutch architecture. They settled here before the English and they were a people who embraced all walks of life. And I, as an American, would like to see that preserved. I have every right to believe and express that the home in question is out of step with the character of this neighborhood and I would like to see that character maintained. What I recommended was not illegal and well within the legal scope of rights for a property owners association. Next time, sir, I hope you have the minerals to post your real name instead of a known real estate mogul who has once gone bankrupt and picks fights with lesbians.
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Leave me outta this!!
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Sorry, Ms. O'Donnell. lol
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property owners association has no say in how or or what design a person picks to build his house. this is not a private community even if do you wish it was. if it was a private community then you would be correct. and your not American your irish-american. the only real amercans are the Indians. you know the guys with feathers in the hat.
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I think the real problem you have with my opinions are that there is a possibility of legal recourse the p.o.a. can take. If I am wrong, then so be it, but at least prove it to me with factual discourse. Instead of attacking me by saying that I am not a true American, why don't you point out with concrete facts, if any, the p.o.a. may or may not take in regards to these ideas.
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the indians migrated from asia. they are also immigrants
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but the property owners do have the building guy come every month and point out anything they do not like.
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I'm so sick of this…even the Indians came here from somewhere else. They're no more "native" than we are.
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Actually, Rosie picked a fight with Trump not the other way around. She is a revolting, ugly bully.
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Well to educate you, Donald, the house does not belong in this neighborhood but not due to xenophobic reasons. My generation has met with countless difficulties and resistance from the D.o.B. New guidelines have been passed with regards to new construction and while these laws may have had good intentions, the enforcement of these laws seems to be a bit more nefarious. It seems the D.o.B. would be more aptly labeled by your word. It does not seem that everyone is enjoying the same amount of, "pursuit of happiness."
When long time residences of this community deal with the D.o.B. we get the run around, yet your friend on Abby Court has escaped many of the new zoning laws. I am thinking of my friend who was told he had to set his house back 10' from the property line, accommodate a driveway, and pay for a curb cut. He was denied a C of O by the kindly building inspector because his plans depicted grass in the yard and he had not sown the seeds. My brother was told that his home was too large in proportion the size of his lot to add any livable space to the house, yet your friend on Abby Ct. seems to have gotten around these laws. AMAZING!!!! I see no 10' egress, curb cut, drive way or proportionate yard on this lot.
To mention Liberty, some people seem to skirt the law time and time again with ease in this city while those do the right thing are bled dry at every turn. And if you want to label someone as xenophobic maybe you should take a look at the video cameras installed in front of your buddy's house on Abby Ct. Clearly he has a prejudicial view our community.
It is not the first time I have seen an anonymous blogger on this site try to bait this community into a race/religious debate when there was none. Maybe you don't see how hypocritical you are by assuming that someone with an Irish last name is xenophobic. Either way I'm sure you'll pass by 119 Abby Court in the days to come. Smile for the cameras.
P.S. Xenophon led 10,000 Spartan men to safety against the onslaught of the Persian Army. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.
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Their are two types of people those who are IRISH and the ones who wish they were. YOUR THE ONE WHO WISHES!!!!!!
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yes your right this house doesn't fit in the neighborhood.As far as the shanties being part of the charm i have to disagree. They don't belong either. They need to clean up their act.
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My apologies. What I meant was the idea of the bungalows, not dilapidated structures.
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Honey drive around the beach and you will see many houses that do not belong if you go by those standards of the 1950's. if I have time I will take pics of some and send them to Danny..
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The GBPOA has used "character of neighborhood" on more than one occasion, but the argument has lost impact thanks to the crass, self-serving politicians. Look at the takeover of entire neighborhoods through eminent domain. While I share in the opinion the house is out of place where it is, it might not have been as intrusive on a bigger lot. As for stucco, there are several such houses in the beach now. We are letting the law deal with the illegalities of the house, but nothing justifies some snot noses from putting graffiti on anyone's property.
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I for one do not care for stucco, but I agree that the home on that lot is intrusive. I once worked for someone that was president of her P.O.A. and I have handled sending out agreements to home buyers that were buying within her neighborhood. Does the GBPOA have such formalities set in place that can be used in a court of law rather than trying to get past a politician? It could help prevent homes such as this going up in the neighborhood or would it just be more of a headache than it is worth?
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strong words from someone who usually sticks up for the kids? just a few bad apples?
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That graffiti was obviously written by the developer. It clearly says, "EVSEEF, EALJAHU."
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Isn't that Cat Stevens' new name?
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Christine, I'm on the run to a dinner, but would entertain any input you may have. At your convenience we can get together. Any idea that may prove beneficial to our community is always worth looking at. It may duplicate, but then again, it may not, so feel free to contact me or anyone on the GBPOA. Thanks, GB
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Will do. I will see you at the next meeting.
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One thing is for sure; any and all contruction of that house has been an inconvenience on Bartlett Place. No major catastrophe, however the trucks literally had to park in the middle of the street blocking Abby & Bartlett because parking too close to the "sidewalk" (which seems funny to even say), meant not having enough room to work on the house. It is what it is.. but I wouldn't want to live there!
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This house is ridiculous … And the owner has some nerve! We need to keep people like this OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
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The stucco doesn't bother me but the house is too big. It goes up too high and is therefore illegal. Secondly it'll likey be a rental – which is always asking for trouble.
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When people don't plan on sticking around, as most people who rent don't they usually don't care as much about the property or what they do there, nor do the people who rent it cause they don't live there either. So yes, it does ask for trouble…statistics show that too between places where most residents rent and where residents own homes. Atleast from a few years ago.
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I have always felt that way myself.
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Actually the house is too big for the lot and does not conform to the laws governing new construction in the city with regards to A1 residential buildings in our r4 and r5 area. Too big is not left to interpritation and a simple trip to nyc.gov/buildings will show you that. You can read all about it for free on the buiding information system. Stop trying to bait an ethnic debate where there isn't one.
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read below
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I think the maximum height is 33 feet and 36 feet for the chimney
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Actaully it's 35' from grade but there are guidlines depending on how much of an egress you need. In most cases the front of your home can not exceed 25' With 35' being the total max height of the home.
I looked this house up on the D.o.B. website and the plans were approved for a 35' foot height. It is not the height that concerns me but the over all area of the footprint in relation to the lot. Again if the house is over the 35' approval then by all means it is illegal. I am not sure if there is a set heigh for the chimney or if the chimney has to be a set height above the highest window to allow clearance of carbon dioxide.
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what is the maximum footprint allowed? does it change if you have more than one lot . one thing that bothers me is people buying one lot and building a large house on it, but i guess when someone is offered a hundred grand or more for a lot there goes the beach. When i walk arround the beach its not the same place i grew up ,house after house hardley any empty yards, people call this progress ,being in my 60's my friends and i really know what the beach was like,and i really miss it.
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I am not sure but am looking into it. I know people who have been denied expansion due to the size of their existing footprint. People are actually asking over 200g for empty lots and have been for a few years.
You are right, when the hard working tradesmen (and women) and civil servants who built this neighborhood can no longer afford to live here Gerritsen Beach will become what so many other neighborhoods in Brooklyn have regressed to, a den of thieves.
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It's getting to the point where REAL gb'rs will have to will thier property to thier children, otherwise WE can't afford to live here.
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I wish a few of these 'real' gbrs fixed up their old bungalows and raise their kids to be respectful. Other than that, this neighborhood is changing for the better – much better. It just needs to stop some of these enormous structures before they go up and demolish, rebuild, or renovate some of the run down older ones still left around.
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You're right !!!!!! And whose fault is that ?? Again you're right, the so called dedicated and life long GBers who sell to anyone with the most money
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From what i understand the owner is moving in with his family
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The owner would have to move in because he won't be able to get a CofO with all the illegal additions & won't be able to sell.
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“EVSEEF, EALJAHU” what the heck is that… russian?
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More than likely either Israeli or Syrian.
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Actually this neighborhhod has many proud Veterans of World War II. I suggest that you get to know your neighbors befor you make such ignorant statements.
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Dont feel like anyone is making ignorant statements, Why would anyone want our neighborhood to be taken over by these types of people, who come here and just dont care about our close community, I dont think any of us want this to become the next "Brighton Beach" or "marine park" where we will have to feel uncomfortable in our own streets
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I agree Anon, 100 percent.
The ignorant statement I was refering to was the person above me made a reference that the community would approve of a Nazi buying the property. Not to points other people have been making. You may tneed to click on it to the read it at this point.
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There's a lot of attitudes going on around here. Don't let me get one.
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This house just represents a major problem that's happening all over the city and coming to our neighborhood. This specific house is not a major problem, but you need to have some control over whats being built where.
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google his name !!!
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The problem is not with the size of the house because there are many other homes being built down here larger than that one. The problem that I find with the house is that it has been standing vacant for years. Also WHAT do you need awnings to the street for??? anyone knows that is a violation of the building code. If the house was built to code there would be no problems and it would be lived in …I guess….
I still can't understand what all of the camera's are for what are they protecting in an empty house and those who say that it is making the neighborhood look better I don't think the house looks that great there are many other houses in Gerritsen beach that look 100 times better.
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Just clicked on the link for the stop work order. The owner of this house was different in 2002 wonder if the house was sold during the 8 years it has been standing there. Wonder what the actual story with this house is and why if it was not up to code why hasn't the city ordered it ripped down or made the owner comply with the buildings codes.. after 8 years ???
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Also if it was not up to code and did not have a C. of O. then no bank would issue a mortgage on it. Clearly whom ever bought it paid cash or some other slight of hand has been going on. Fishy………………….
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Not true, you can buy a house even get a mortgage without a C of O, it all depends on the violations and reason why there is no C of O. Christ have the houses down here don't have C of Os
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what about the property across the street with all the weeds – where the Elsie K used to dock? I believe it is the same owner and no one can get it cleaned up? where is that building guy when you need him?
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busy enjoying the graft he got under the table to look the other way,don't worry he'll be back
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It’s not your business what people do with their homes why don’t you mind your business and let people live in peace. I have lived here for 43 years and I am disgused that you are talking about other people’s home like you own this land. You do not we all pay our morgages and bills so live your life and let others live theres. I believe the house is amazing and beautifies the neighborhood.
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I bet the owner has a fur coat, a lexus and a benefits card and rams you with his shopping cart in the supermarket. I know that tribe.
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