April 21, 2009

Statement of the Historic Districts Council before the Landmarks Preservation Commission
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing

The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation. Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the following application that was before the Commission.

Hearing Date: 4/21/2009
LPC Docket Number: 096640
Manhattan, Block: 1202, Lot: 41
22 West 89th Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District
A Renaissance Revival style rowhouse designed by Gilbert A. Schellenger and built in 1894. Application is to construct a rear yard addition and relocate a window.

HDC Testimony
HDC is opposed to this plan as it continues the incremental build up of this lot. It is questionable that if the various additions over the years were proposed together as one large application, would it have been approved. By filling up the lot, this 1894 Renaissance Revival-style rowhouse, ceases to be a rowhouse and instead becomes more akin to an apartment building. The addition would also have a detrimental effect on this lovely landmarked residential block and its garden core. Finally, we find that the choice of nontraditional materials such as the red stucco and black chain link fence only makes worse the unfortunate addition.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

 

Hearing Date: 4/21/2009
LPC Docket Number: 097506
Manhattan, Block: 849, Lot: 7505
141 Fifth Avenue - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style loft building designed by Robert Maynicke and built circa 1896-1900. Application is to install storefront infill.

HDC Testimony
In general, HDC finds this storefront infill to be on the dull side for the Ladies' Mile Historic District. More detailing and articulation in the entry and a more solid door could help. In addition, we noticed that the building and storefront elevations do not match when it comes to the sign band. This may be just a mistake in the drawings, but if there is a choice, HDC feels the detailed moldings on the sign band featured in the building elevation would be more appropriate. Also there was concern that the display cases not be bolted to the glass. As seen in the historic photos, large, uninterupted display windows were a prominent feature in this storefront, something that should be in the present as well.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 4/21/2009
LPC Docket Number: 097580
Manhattan, Block: 823, Lot: 4
682 6th Avenue - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style store and loft building designed by Sephenson & Greene and built in 1897. Application is to install storefront infill.

HDC Testimony
At public review on Friday there was not enough information on the lighting scheme to comment on that part of the proposal. Otherwise, HDC applauds the applicant for a fine storefront proposal. We are happy to see that the original pilasters will be uncovered, and it is particularly nice to see a storefront proposal that includes the residential entrance. So often the entrance to upper floors is left out, and historic buildings are left with disjointed bases. We hope that the store tenant and building owner’s cooperation will be followed by others in the future. This well proportioned, nicely detailed storefront will be a fine contribution to the streetscape of the Ladies’ Mile Historic District.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 4/21/2009
LPC Docket Number: 092361
Manhattan, Block: 7777, Lot: 777
97-99 7th Avenue South - Greenwich Village Historic District
A converted garage building built in 1919. Application is to modify a fence installed without LPC permits.

HDC Testimony
The fence atop this 1919 converted garage is very visible, and not apporpriate. Unfortunately, painting will not make it any better. HDC encourages the applicant to work with staff to find another way to meet their security needs.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

 

Hearing Date: 4/21/2009
LPC Docket Number: 097352
Manhattan, Block: 777, Lot: 77
Canal Street and Broadway - SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
A commercial thoroughfare first alid out as a canal in 1805 and filled in as a road bed circa 1815. Application is to install flood mitigation measures.

HDC Testimony
While, HDC appreciates the need for flood mitigation and the attempt at some interpretation, we should consider what is always considered when assessing alterations to a landmark – design, materials, and scale. Overall, we find the overly designed, sculptural piece to be a rather jarring addition to the streetscape. As HDC stated last July at the Public Hearing for a similar installation in the Firstly HDC would like to thank the applicant for providing the full PowerPoint presentation in paper form at Friday’s Public Review.

TriBeCa South Historic District, using a more matte metal with more traditional lines would be a better compliment to the district. In addition to its design and materials, we question whether the height in certain points is driven by practical needs. Whatever is to be placed in an historic district, no matter how practical it may be, should take into account the unique character of the neighborhood.

LPC Determination: Approved

Hearing Date: 4/21/2009
LPC Docket Number: 088128
Queens, Block: 182, Lot: 79
39-02 44th Street - Sunnyside Gardens Historic District
A brick rowhouse with Colonial Revival style details designed by Clarence Stein, Henry Wright and Frederick Ackerman and built in 1927. Application is to install a curb cut and parking pad.

HDC Testimony
First, HDC would like to note that curb cuts are illegal now under current zoning in Sunnyside Gardens and will continue to be illegal under proposed zoning to be voted on at City Planning tommorow. In addition to the legality issue, curb cuts and parking pads are the antithesis of this historic planned community. Unlike so many areas of the city, Sunnyside Gardens is a planned community, and the little details that went into its creation are each a crucial piece of its design.

The lack of curb cuts is a feature that sets it apart from many other neighborhoods in Queens. As one resident on our public review committee noted, children can play on the sidewalks without worrying about cars pulling in and out of driveways. This feature also apparently makes the neighborhood a mecca for trick-or-treaters each year at Halloween. While the peace of mind that comes from not having cars on the sidewalk may not be something one typically attributes to landmarked areas, it was a very concious decision by Sunnyside Gardens’ planners and it contributes greatly to the sense of place here.

Back yards were not meant to be parking pads in Sunnyside Gardens. Although images and maps in this presentation omit it, this is part of Madison Court North which features pleasant courtyard with a common walkway. The presentation does show a rather dreary private back yard now, but rather than paving it we recommend some basic plantings to help return the gardens to Sunnyside Gardens.

LPC Determination:

Hearing Date: 4/21/2009
LPC Docket Number: 097473
Brooklyn, Block: 1977, Lot: 22
474 Waverly Place - Clinton Hill Historic District
A neo-Grec style rowhouse designed by Robert Dixon and built in1888. Application is to construct a rooftop addition.

HDC Testimony
HDC does not have any issue with the minimal visibility of this rooftop addition, but we were curious about the materials being proposed for the railing and the addition itself. We also would like to suggest that, rather than building something that resembles a dock going out into the water, in order to retain more of the shape of the original roofline to build a few steps down and then a flat floor.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

 

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