In the news dated January 29, 2026 reported by Epoch Times, focusing on the opposition of the Sheephead Bay community to the U Avenue homeless construction project, residents accused the Coyle Street 2114 project of receiving partial demolition permits from the Department of Buildings (DOB) without obtaining stormwater discharge construction permits, and have filed an appeal to the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA).
On the evening of January 27, the Brooklyn Community Board 15 (CB15) held a full meeting to listen to residents’ explanations and passed a resolution by a large margin, expressing support for the residents’ appeal in a letter to the BSA the following day.
Resident representative Shao Feng Ye pointed out during the meeting that the relevant project involved approximately 36,000 square feet of land disturbance area, exceeding regulatory thresholds. According to regulations, projects that disturb soil more than 20,000 square feet or add impervious area more than 5,000 square feet must obtain stormwater construction permits before commencing work, submit pollution prevention plans, and apply for stormwater maintenance permits upon completion. He stated that this requirement is a mandatory environmental regulation and cannot be submitted retroactively.
CB15 Chair Theresa Scavo explained during the meeting that the BSA is currently reviewing the residents’ appeal, focusing on whether the Department of Buildings issued demolition permits in the absence of necessary environmental documents. She emphasized that whether the community board issues supporting or opposing opinions is part of the administrative appeal process.
Some members inquired whether the appeal would affect the progress of the homeless project at Coyle Street 2134. Scavo responded that supporting the residents’ appeal may hinder the project’s progress, therefore, she suggested that the committee publicly support the residents’ procedural demands and promptly made a motion.
Ultimately, CB15 members voted, with nearly unanimous approval and only one opposing vote. On January 28, the committee formally wrote to the BSA, expressing their support for the residents’ appeal.
Residents and the community rights group, the “Save Southern Brooklyn Alliance,” present at the meeting, welcomed the result. The organization’s representative, Andy Wong, pointed out that this is the first time the community board has formally supported residents’ BSA appeals in writing, describing this action as enhancing the community’s voice in the relevant processes.
Residents expressed gratitude to State Senator Chen Xue Li’s office for assistance, especially to Deputy Chief of Staff Liu Ya Ming for drafting the appeal documents and organizing regulatory information. Community members noted that whether it is the Coyle Street case in Sheephead Bay or the 86th Street in Bensonhurst, the related BSA appeal documents need to be meticulously checked against different facts and regulations and not simply applied. This reflects the significant amount of data preparation work that Liu Ya Ming has put into both cases.
Currently, in parallel with the Coyle Street case in Sheephead Bay, the 86th Street case in Bensonhurst, the 11th Community Board has passed a motion in the planning and zoning subcommittee to support residents in appealing to BSA, which will be put up for a vote at the full board meeting on February 12 (Thursday). Both cases have entered the BSA review process, and the BSA will collect written opinions from all parties and schedule public hearings to decide whether to uphold or revoke the relevant permits issued by the Department of Buildings.