A surge of optimism this week over apparently reaching a long-elusive compromise on a mixed-use project to be built on Irving Place ended this morning with the revelation that the developer is seeking a large increase in his compensatory funding from the city.
According to sources, developer Sal Gonzales told City Hall officials he needs about a 50 percent increase over the approximately $550,000 that the City Council already has agreed to hand over to him.
If Mr. Gonzales is rejected, will this be a dealbreaker?
Maybe.
Like most other important strands of this drawn-out project, the final determination is clouded.
Public debate over the proposed, mainly residential, condo building at 4043 Irving has been liberally sprinkled with thorny threats and accusations ever since the Planning Commission gave its approval last April.
That verdict promptly was appealed.
Counting the Objections
Since last April, neighbors have vehemently argued that a new building — of almost any size — will increase traffic on their narrow streets. To emphasize how unwelcome the plans are, residents further have objected to the size, the density of the project, the setback distances, practically everything except the proposed color of the exterior.
Despite numerous negotiating sessions between the appellants and the builders, just hours before the next City Council meeting, they only have a piece of an agreement.
This morning’s newest twist plunges the whole project back into limbo.
So much for the tentative agreement that was declared last Tuesday between the two neighborhood couples who appealed the Planning Commission ruling and the developers.
The configuration of the building is significantly different from what the builders intended when they purchased the 4043 property from City Hall for $3.1 million two years ago.
Whether the City Council will be in the mood to make still another fiscal concession to the builder may be decided at Monday night’s regular 7 o’clock meeting in Council Chambers.
Or it may be put off.
Will He or Won’t He?
Mr. Gonzales, sources said, has indicated that if the city does not meet his financial conditions, he is not interested in proceeding.
What happens then?
No one seems to know.
Will the disputed grounds at 4043, presently a heavily used parking lot, be allowed to lie fallow?
Will Mr. Gonzales change his mind, if, indeed, he has made it up?
Will the strongly divided City Council suddenly unify?
The Council — which, itself, is suffering from downsizing — can choose from multiple options Monday night.
But first, it should be noted that only four of the five members will be voting. Andy Weissman has recused himself throughout these months of thorny debates because his law offices are within the perimeter of 4043 Irving.
Like so much of this project, the current preferences of Mayor Scott Malsin, Vice Mayor Gary Silbiger, and members Chris Armenta and Mehaul O’Leary are under a cloud cover — especially since the builder’s demand has altered the dynamics.
Last time the Council pondered the mixed-use building — before a large, raw and unusually hostile crowd two months ago — Mr. Armenta and Mr. Silbiger favored returning the headache to the Planning Commission for further study. Eventually, they relented, and it was agreed to give the angry residents another opportunity to attain a compromise with the builder.
If the same two Councilman vote on Monday to return the matter to the Planning Commission, and the other two members disagree, a 2 to 2 tie would amount to approval of the outline that the Planning Commission approved, four stories, 26 residential condos and three business units.
The tentative accord reached this week by appellants Judy and Michael Miller, Michelle and Jim Behnke, with the builder called for 28 residential condos, one business unit, and deeper setbacks.
