05/17/08

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Board denies Trump Soho appeal

Trump Soho

The Trump Soho hotel-condo won an administrative victory yesterday from the city Board of Standards and Appeals, which rejected an effort by community groups to block construction of the tower.

The city review board turned down an appeal from preservationists and neighborhood organizations that charged that the 454-foot tower rising at 246 Spring Street flaunts zoning regulations.

The SoHo Alliance brought the appeal, which was supported by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, local community boards and other groups.

In a statement, the SoHo Alliance said it was not surprised by the decision.

"In over 90 percent of appeals cases such as these, the (Board of Standards and Appeals) has ruled to uphold decisions of the the Department of Buildings," the group said.

The Department of Buildings supported the board's decision.

"We are pleased with today's vote. We look forward to the Board's final decision on the Department's interpretation of the zoning resolution," a Buildings Department spokeswoman said in a statement.

The ruling allows opponents to bring their appeal to a State Supreme Court, which they indicated they would do.

Several accidents have marred the development at the site, including the fatal fall in January of a worker and a crane violation later that month that halted construction.