NYC - Maximum [Floor Area Ratio (FAR)]

[Johnny Kang]

Question for NYC investors. I got an off market property in Queens. The zoning is R4A, which allows Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of only .9 of the lot size. But I've noticed newer built properties with the same zoning, that has building square footage which exceeds the allowable FAR. Some are as high as 1.5~1.6. Any NYC architects who knows why this is so?  

If this is the case, the property I'm looking at can be knocked down to build an 8 family complex, making this worthwhile to pursue.