NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 40
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Sponsored by the Coalition of Concerned Preservation Voters in the 40th District

 

7. The Self-Certification process allows architects to certify their own building plans contingent on the fact that the plans follow established city guidelines. Although the Department of Buildings has recently amended the self-certification process to require zoning review, the entire process is still in much need of reform or elimination. Would you support an effort to amend or eliminate the self-certification process? 

Gordon: I would support eliminating the self-certification process.

Hopkins: N/A.

James: I would support a plan to review, amend and possibly eliminate the self-certification process.

McNally: I support amendment or elimination of the self-certification process.

Razvi: Yes, unfortunately greed has replaced civic responsibility in certain instances. For example I recently read about a developer whose architect had placed false floors several feet above the existing levels in order to comply with codes. Then the real estate agency suggested to potential buys that the false floors be removed after purchase when inspectors could be denied access.

Schiffman: Development needs to take place. Yet the Department of Buildings like the LPC is truly underfunded and terribly short staffed. The question is whether even with a “zoning review” would that sufficiently allow a timely review or does more need to be in place to insure that “certification” happens in a way that does not shortchange the construction of housing or buildings in the City.

Sharpe: Yes to amendment. Elimination for large construction and work that changes the outside structure of a building.

Tulloch: Yes. There has to be checks and balances.