December 18, 2007
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 applications that were before the Commission.
Hearing Date: 12/18/2007
LPC Docket Number: 062822
Manhattan, Block: 220, Lot: 35
46 Laight Street - TriBeCa North Historic District
An Italianate style tenement building designed by William H. Waring
and built in 1874. Application is to legalize the removal of the
rear wall without LPC permits and to construct a rooftop addition
and a new rear façade, and install ground floor infill.
HDC Testimony
The removal of a rear wall of 46 Laight Street without LPC permits
is not just illegal, but also dangerous to the landmark and its
neighbors. Unfortunately, this blatant disregard for process,
safety and history sets the tone for much of the rest of the application.
The completely visible, two-story rooftop addition is obviously
inappropriate. HDC, of course, opposes it and strongly urges the
Commission to reject the proposal.
On the ground floor, we have concern for any possible existing
material – no photos or drawings were presented to indicate
existing conditions. While cast-iron columns exist (photos of
them lying on the ground were shown), it seems that fiberglass
replacements will be used. Any existing historic material should
be restored and used in the new design. While the proposed is
driven by the ground floor’s use as a garage, we would like
to see the historic storefront play a greater role in its design.
The proposed presently feels rather thick and squat, a condition
that could be helped with greater attention to and incorporation
of original details.
46 Laight Street has been plagued with trouble from unsafe conditions
that led to falling terra cotta striking a passer by in June to
illegal work such as the removal of the rear wall without LPC
or DoB permits. The applicant has proven to be untrustworthy,
and any further work performed here should be very carefully monitored
by the Commission.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 12/18/2007
LPC Docket Number: 082837
Manhattan, Block: 624, Lot: 58
61 Bank Street - Greenwich Village Historic District
A Greek Revival style rowhouse built in 1840, with a backhouse
built in 1841. Application is to construct rooftop and rear additions,
alter the passageway and rear facades, and excavate the courtyard.
HDC Testimony
While the rooftop addition is not visible, we would like to bring
to the commissioners’ attention the outdoor wood-burning
fireplace in the plan on board 28. HDC questions the safety, legality
and advisability of such an element.
HDC also has concerns regarding the extent of the excavation
proposed, and we oppose this part of the application. The plan
calls for excavating 17 feet deep, below the footings of the buildings,
the width and length of the garden. While LPC does not monitor
use, we question whether the space gained is worth the risk such
an excavation could pose. If this plan were to be approved, HDC
would like to stress the importance of adhering to the required
vibration monitoring and close observation by an engineer of these
buildings and their neighbors.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 12/18/2007
LPC Docket Number: 082637
Manhattan, Block: 1503, Lot: 69
1107 Fifth Avenue - Carnegie Hill Historic District
A neo-Renaissance style apartment building designed by Rouse &
Goldstone and built in 1925. Application is to replace windows.
HDC Testimony
As HDC has often stated in the past, and the commission often
ruled, windows are a key design element of large apartment buildings
of this era. HDC opposes to the replacement of 1 over 1 windows
with single panes. While not on the primary façade, these
windows are visible from Fifth Avenue and the addition of single
panes moves the building another step away from its original appearance.
For a building of this size and important location, we recommend
creating a master plan that will replace the blankness created
by single panes with the more appropriately detailed windows.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 12/18/2007
LPC Docket Number: 083067
Manhattan, Block: 1212, Lot: 7501
101 West 81st Street - Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic
District
A Romanesque Revival style hotel building designed by Edward L.
Angell and built in 1889-1891. Application is to construct a rooftop
addition.
HDC Testimony
Although this building already has a number of blatantly visible
rooftop additions, some grandfathered, others LPC-approved, HDC
cannot support the addition of yet another. Such rooftop additions
should not be allowed to completely engulf 101 West 81st Street,
situated on a prominent corner diagonally across from Theodore
Roosevelt Park. We urge the commission to take the first step
towards ending the increasing clutter by denying this application.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 12/18/2007
LPC Docket Number: 083589
Brooklyn, Block: 214, Lot: 20
28 Willow Street - Brooklyn Heights Historic District
An Anglo-Italianate style rowhouse built in 1858. Application
is to enlarge window openings, install rooftop HVAC equipment,
raise a chimney, and replace a rooftop bulkhead and roof deck.
HDC Testimony
Although HDC does not have any issues with the plans to enlarge
window openings, we are concerned about the amount of accretion
proposed for the rooftop. An awful lot is proposed to be added
to this roof, much of it visible from a variety of viewpoints.
HDC recommends that various solutions be sought to diminish this
problem. For example, is it possible for the HVAC units to be
installed in the rear garden rather than on the roof? Can the
very tall, boxy bulkhead be reduced by not enclosing a full landing?
A variety of such small, simple adjustments should be made to
create a less visibly jarring roofscape.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
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