Speak Out for Landmark Preservation Please Says Whom You Know & The New York Landmarks Conservancy
Preservation Alert
City Council Hearing on Landmarks Commission designation procedures tomorrow
Wednesday, September 9, 11:00 am
City Hall, Council Chambers
Intro. 775 would set time limits on the Landmarks Commission to designate individual landmarks and historic districts. We agree with the goals of creating a transparent and predictable process, but believe that the bill should be modified to allow the Commission the flexibility it needs to execute its mission.
The proposed deadlines should be extended, and exceptions for unforeseen events should be included.
The five-year moratorium on reconsidering items that have not been completed by the deadline should be abandoned. The moratorium would prevent the LPC from fulfilling its core mission, and along with the deadlines, could be used to delay designation and allow ample time for demolition.
The LPC has enacted a public and transparent process for addressing the majority of its backlog; the Council should work with the agency to determine how much time it will take to complete this objective. The bill should stipulate that the public process be applied to the entire backlog.
Intro. 837 would require LPC to create a public database of sites that are calendared or designated. The Conservancy supports the goal of this bill. We will also request that LPC be allotted appropriate resources to complete this project.
Join us at the hearing to speak out for landmark preservation in New York City.
