Councilmember Peter Koo. Image credit: William Alatriste / New York City Council
Proposed law sets requirements for holding hearings and decisions or risk automatic decalendaring. On April 28, 2015 a bill was introduced for consideration at the City Council’s stated meeting to create time limits on the City landmarking process. The bill, Intro 775, was introduced by Councilmembers Peter Koo and David Greenfield.
Landmarks had originally scheduled removal of 94 potential individual landmarks and two historic districts from its calendar for December 9th. On December 5, 2014, the Landmarks Preservation Commission rescinded plans to remove 96 items from its calendar without bringing the items to a vote of designation. The items planned to be removed included 94 items calendared as potential individual City landmarks, and two potential historic districts. The action, called a decalendaring, was scheduled to take place at its public meeting on December 9, 2015. (more…)
Steven Spinola, president of REBNY
The Landmarks Preservation Commission’s (LPC) process for designating New York City historic districts is being used more and more to take the place of zoning. The designation of historic districts has been pursued to promote many different agendas: to address issues of height and scale, to stop new development and to limit development on vacant or near-vacant sites by purposefully including these sites within the boundaries of historic districts. These objectives are contrary to the intent of the NYC Landmarks Law and touch on actions specifically disallowed by that law, such as limiting the height and bulk of buildings and other characteristics governed by zoning regulations.
This continuing drift toward misusing the landmarks law as a planning tool to limit change across entire neighborhoods is evident in the remarks by Otis Pearsall, a noted preservationist, at the 2011 Fitch Forum symposium on the history of preservation law:
Day of hearings on Staten Island properties proved controversial. On April 10, 2007, Landmarks held hearings on the possible designations of eight properties on Staten Island. While some property owners were positive about possible designation, others adamantly opposed. Owners feared that designation would mean reduced property values and restrictive government control of the use and possible modification of their homes.
Among the properties was 5466 Arthur Kill Road in Tottenville, built for an oysterman in the mid- 19th century. The house features an amalgamation of Greek revival, Gothic and Italianate styles with a symmetrically planned center hall and gables. It remains remarkably intact with its original chimney, lintels, sills and shutters. Douglas Ford, the building’s owner, spoke in opposition. “I don’t want big government telling me my rights as a homeowner,” said Ford, a Staten Island native. Ford claimed “preservationist perverts” had been trespassing on his property since Landmarks publicized the potential designation, and that Landmarks should study the security impact of its designations. Ford added that he was willing to negotiate a deal for the house’s preservation as long he avoided the onus of landmarking. (more…)
Landmarks Chair Sarah Carroll. Image Credit: LPC.
Sarah Carroll confirmation followed hearing by Council Committee. On September 14, 2022, Sarah Carroll was approved by the City Council to serve as Chair of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Mayor Adams announced Ms. Carroll’s reappointment on August 5, 2022. (more…)
