Lot Line Windows - Neighbor Wants to Build to Lot Line - NYC

[Ariel Cohen]

I am in contract to buy a 12 unit mixed-use building in Queens that is built to the lot lines. The property is 50 x 100 and has windows on all 4 sides of the building. The property is a corner lot and on the interior side of the building there is an existing 4' alleyway between the building and the neighbor's building. The neighbor's lot is 28 x 100 and the existing building is 24 x 50.

The neighbor filed plans to build a 4 story building with a footprint of 28 x 50.  This will bring the building up to the lot line and will cause us to need to seal the windows affecting some of the apartments. One apartment will lose all its windows since they all face that 4' alley. Luckily that portion of the building is only built 2 stories so we will be able to put skylights for light and air which is legal but not ideal.

Some of the possible scenarios are 1) we lose all the lot line windows, 2) we lose the lot line windows for the 50 foot length of the new building 3) we don't lose any windows because we are able to convince the neighbor not to build up to the lot line or are able to prevent him because of the impact it will have to out building.

I wanted to see if anyone has any experience with a situation like this and can give some feedback on how things worked out in their situation.