Swimming Pool Construction in Carroll Gardens Alarms Neighbors
When workers started digging a big hole in the backyard of the recently sold house at 391 Union Street in Carroll Gardens, it set off alarm bells with some neighbors. Two calls were made to 311, and one neighbor emailed us expressing fears about whether the apparent swimming pool project was on the up-and-up and…
When workers started digging a big hole in the backyard of the recently sold house at 391 Union Street in Carroll Gardens, it set off alarm bells with some neighbors. Two calls were made to 311, and one neighbor emailed us expressing fears about whether the apparent swimming pool project was on the up-and-up and what the structural implications for adjacent buildings might be. We checked with the architect who is overseeing the renovation of the house at No. 391, and it turns out that everything is being done by the book.
The pool will be 10 feet by 20 feet, a total of 200 square feet, with a maximum depth of four feet. A pool of this size does not require a permit. Nonetheless, the firm has made it clear in its filings to the DOB that one is planned. (Indeed, we saw it in the Schedule A attached to the Alt-1 permit.)
The hole in the backyard is bigger than the final size of the pool to allow for framing and plumbing. “The pool is set back from the property lines by more than four feet and is more than 10 feet from any foundation,” architect Daniel Alter told us.
While work has started on the pool, the rest of the renovation will wait for the appropriate permit approvals. “As a general matter, I can tell you that the owners are committed to not proceeding with any work that requires a permit until the permits can be pulled,” he said.
I built our pool myself two springs ago. It has completely transformed the use of our back yard. The parties we’ve had! It measures 10′ by 16′ with a sloping bottom reaching 5 feet in the deep end. It was A LOT of work but it came out fantastic. We have an oversized heater that heats it quickly if we need it on the ends of the season when we’re going to use it, but like other posters have said, you don’t need much in the summer. We use it 7 months out of the year. . . and the hot tub the rest. Its not big enough for laps, but for entertainment and relaxation it does the trick. The negativity of some posters on here is disappointing. Thankfully our bedstuy neighbors were completely supportive and some even helped.
Can you please post a pic of it?
Here’s a link to some photos.
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/7o2qd2st1bnnxh8/AADnp2Ljm0AcCvxGE9zmeLiaa
I’d be happy to. It seems I can figure out how to build a pool but not how to post a pic on here. Suggestions?
Couldn’t you cover it up with a deck in the colder months when not in use? I recall reading that Norah Jones’ pool does that. Then it wouldn’t seem such a waste of space.
^LOL good one DIBS
A mother to daughter transaction is the reason for the low price.
this project will have no structural effect on the neighboring homes.
Silly people doing something to their own house without consulting you first. Maybe, just maybe, they want a pool and don’t really care what you think.
P.S “The hole in the backyard is bigger than the final size of the pool to allow for framing and plumbing”