Important progress has emerged in the controversial project at 2134 Coyle Street in Sheephead Bay, U Avenue. On the 16th, the “Save South Brooklyn” organization held a press conference along with representatives from the office of State Senator Stephen T. Chan and State Assemblyman Lester Chang to announce that two appeals cases brought by community residents to the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) have been officially scheduled for a public hearing on August 10th this year.
The community representative of U Avenue, Eddie, who is also one of the applicants in the two BSA cases, stated that the appeals are for 2025-54-A (2114 Coyle Street) and 2026-09-A (2140 Coyle Street). With the assistance of Liu Yamming, Deputy Chief of Staff in Senator Chan’s office, they were able to confirm the hearing date as August 10th.
Eddie pointed out that this progress is not just procedural, but a significant step as the controversies will be publicly scrutinized for the first time. Concerns from the community regarding land division, demolition permits, and stormwater management will be examined on an official platform for the first time.
He mentioned that community concerns include: approval of new building plans before obtaining sign-off on land division and approval of related building plans before stormwater management is fully approved. He emphasized that these issues are not just technical errors but involve public safety, environmental protection, and whether government oversight is strict, consistent, and transparent.
Eddie also noted that some residents had previously felt disheartened as old buildings were demolished, believing they could no longer halt the project’s progress, but he clarified that “demolition does not mean the issues are resolved.” He explained that if developers skip legal procedures early on, they may face even greater legal issues later.
Using the example of the Magnolia Gardens Shelter in Flushing, he pointed out that controversy arose due to the lack of stormwater management, resulting in a proposed revocation notice from the Buildings Department despite the building being completed and in operation. Therefore, he believes the hearing on August 10th is highly meaningful and a crucial moment to examine whether the project complies with the law.
Eddie thanked State Senator Stephen T. Chan and Deputy Chief of Staff Liu Yamming for their assistance, particularly acknowledging Liu Yamming’s significant time investment in researching the case, organizing documents, and helping complete the appeal documents.
During the press conference, Senator Chan stated that his office has been working closely with community residents to push the case forward and to assist in preparing the appeal materials. He issued a statement to the BSA, highlighting issues involving property rights and stormwater permits, urging the BSA to revoke the Coyle Street construction permit and emphasizing that government departments must follow due process and that disputes should be reviewed through formal channels.
When discussing another highly scrutinized case at 2501 Bensonhurst 86th Street, Senator Chan mentioned that his office also assisted residents in filing appeals with the BSA and has written to the BSA to inquire about scheduling, awaiting a response. Deputy Chief of Staff Liu Yamming stated that although she lacks experience in handling BSA appeals and is not a lawyer, she found solace in the progress of the case towards a public hearing stage after residents provided ample information.
Mr. Ma, a representative of the residents on 86th Street, expressed that reaching this stage in the case was not easy. Residents had faced obstacles when lodging complaints with the Buildings Department, and at one point, due to the closure of the complaint platform, they risked missing the appeal deadline. Fortunately, Senator Chan’s office intervened, reopening the platform, allowing residents to complete their appeals on time.
Representative Zhao Jing’an of State Assemblyman Lester Chang pointed out the significance of ongoing citizen oversight of the government, emphasizing that many procedural issues may go unnoticed for a long time if not actively raised by citizens.
On that day, the “Save South Brooklyn” organization presented certificates of appreciation to Senator Chan and Deputy Chief of Staff Liu Yamming, recognizing their efforts in advancing the appeal process.
Senator Chan concluded by stating that beyond the cases on Sheephead Bay and 86th Street, similar controversies have arisen in several shelter projects such as Magnolia Gardens in Flushing and in Manhattan’s Chinatown, reflecting the community’s efforts to study regulations and supervise procedures to examine whether government departments approve projects legally. “We will continue to stand with the residents and persevere,” he said.