City Council Considers Preservation

Landmarks Preservation Commission Budget Discussed

On March 23rd, the Land Use Committee of the City Council held a public hearing on the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2005, which begins on July 1st. LPC Chair Robert Tierney made a statement to over a dozen council members about LPC’s work in the previous year and their upcoming project. He stated that the agency has been working in numerous areas throughout the city desirous of designation, with a particular emphasis on the out-lying boroughs. Among the areas and properties he mentioned the LPC was currently considering were the proposed Douglaston Hill HD, the Maude Adams House and the Bowne Street Community Church in Queens, the Lady Moody House and the Hecla Iron Works Building in Brooklyn, and the proposed Stapleton HD and the H.H. Richardson House in Staten Island. Commissioner Tierney went on to announce the LPC’s intention to do a block-by-block survey of Staten Island, hopefully this summer, to inventory the borough’s endangered historic resources. The LPC has also participated in community meetings in Sunnyside Gardens and Douglaston Hill in Queens, Westerleigh and Stapleton in Staten Island and Crown Heights North in Brooklyn to discuss designation. With regards to already designated properties, the LPC has been working on guidelines which would help streamline the permit approval process for bracket signs, storefronts on Columbus Avenue in the Upper West Side and new construction in Gansevoort. With regard to accessibility, recent LPC permit decisions are now available online through the City Law Web site and the agency is regularly posting upcoming agendas on their own Web Site. Commissioner Tierney concluded his prepared statement by reporting the agency had a proposed $3.19 million budget for the upcoming year, of which $2.64 million was from city funds and the rest from state and federal funding sources (such as community block development grants).

In the ensuing question and answer period, council members in general all spoke highly of the work of the commission and of the partnership they feel they have with the Chair. A number of council members, however, raised concerns about the proposed permit fee legislation, intended to raise $1.05 million annually. Although Commissioner Tierney defended the proposal, stating that the threshold for larger fees has been raised to respond to concerns about smaller projects, some council members spoke out against the proposal in principle. Council Members Felder and Koppel were especially strong in their opposition to the proposal, stating their belief that government should provide certain services as part of its function, and that the potential for egregious fees would discourage communities from desiring landmark status.

Other concerns about LPC’s strained resources were also raised, and some council members suggested that the agency could use more staff. This suggestion was strongly seconded by HDC in our testimony. We asked City Council “to increase the LPC’s proposed budget by $300,000 or approximately 10%. While this might seem like a lot, in the greater scheme of New York City’s $46 billion dollar budget, it is negligible. This small increase would greatly add to the agency and the citizens of New York whom it serves.” HDC’s testimony detailed how these additional funds might be used to increase staff in all departments. Click here to view HDC’s testimony on the LPC budget.

If you think the LPC's budget needs to be increased, please contact your local council member and council leadership. Click here for a sample letter.

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