President Scibetta lectures on standards and appeals at Columbian Lawyers meeting

March 10, 2023 Robert Abruzzese

Salvatore Scibetta, president of the Columbian Lawyers Association. Eagle photos: Mario Belluomo.

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CONEY ISLAND — For the first time in its history a current president of the Columbian Lawyers Association was the guest continuing legal education speaker during the association’s monthly meeting at Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island on Wednesday, March 1.

Salvatore Scibetta is an accomplished attorney and the newly appointed vice chair of the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA).

From left: Hon. Connie Mallafre-Melendez, Hon. Ellen Spodek, president of the Brooklyn Brandeis Society, Steven Bamundo, and Hon. Donald Kurtz.

With over 15 years of legal experience, he has earned a reputation as a diligent, knowledgeable, and capable attorney with extensive expertise in real estate law. He began his legal career at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services and went on to become a partner at Lee Anav Chung White Kim Ruger & Richter LLP.

Scibetta, a graduate of Fordham University and Brooklyn Law School, has served as a commissioner on the BSA since 2018. In addition to being president of the Columbia Lawyers Association of Brooklyn, he is also a member of both the Brooklyn Bar Association and the Richmond County Bar Association, and serves on the board of the Staten Island Children’s Museum.

From left: Margherita Racanelli, Linda LoCascio, Dean Delianites, and Hon. Connie Mallafre-Melendez.

His speech was entitled, “The Board of Standards and Appeals, What is it and why is it important?”

During his discussion, Scibetta talked about the Board, its role in New York City, its process of hearing cases, and how it works with community boards. He discussed the New York City Charter, the New York State General City Law and the NYS Multiple Dwelling Law.

From left: Linda LocCasio, Gregory LaSpina, Dino Mastropietro, Mark Longo, and Joseph Rosato, president-elect of the Brooklyn Bar Association.

The BSA is an independent board that plays an integral role in regulating land use, development, and construction in New York City. The BSA is responsible for granting “relief” from the zoning code, which means that it has the authority to approve variances and special permits for certain types of projects that do not strictly conform to the city’s zoning regulations.

The BSA is also responsible for hearing appeals related to building code and fire code violations, and it has the power to impose penalties and order corrective action when necessary. The BSA is comprised of five members who are appointed by the mayor and serve staggered terms.