Lhota vows not to use DOB fines to close budget gap

Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota wagged a finger at the city Department of Buildings in a speech at the BOMA/NY Annual Conference and Leadership Breakfast Wednesday, vowing to ward off the use of fines and fees to balance the city’s budget.

Such a practice is “illegal for violating state law,” he told attendees. “Inspectors will be trained to keep fines consistent.” Those fees would also be subject to a three- to five-day grace period in which offenders could fix their infractions with no fine levied. If all is well the second time inspectors visit a site, the fine would be lifted.

Lhota also called for an improved DOB website that would issue email notifications in advance of any implemented change in regulations. [REW] — Julie Strickland