June 5, 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: 6/5/2007
LPC Docket Number: 071678
Brooklyn, Block: 1097, Lot: 54
513 12th Street - Park Slope Historic District
An apartment house designed by Thomas Bennett and built in 1900-01.
Application is to legalize the installation of windows without
LPC permits.
HDC Testimony
HDC is opposed to legalizing these windows installed without LPC
permits. Not only is the material, aluminum, inappropriate, the
windows' shape, flat on a rounded portion of the building, is
also unacceptable. The commission would not have approved these
windows as a proposal, and they should not now be accepted as
a done deal.
LPC Determination: Denied
Hearing Date: 6/5/2007
LPC Docket Number: 076176
Manhattan, Block: 521, Lot: 74
2 Bleecker Street - NoHo Historic District
An Italianate style store building designed by Nicholas Whyte
and built in 1868. Application is to construct a rooftop addition.
HDC Testimony
HDC opposed to this proposed rooftop addition due to its inappropriate
materials, massing and design that contribute to its visibility.
With the atypical street pattern of NoHo, the addition is more
visible from more locations than it might be elsewhere in the
city. Its bulky design and use of aluminum and glass distract
from this distinctive mansard roof of this building. We urge that
the plans be revised to make the addition less visible and less
visually jarring.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 6/5/2007
LPC Docket Number: 075465
Manhattan, Block: 1379, Lot: 16,115, 74-
23, 25, 740 East 64th Street, Madison Avenue - Upper East Side
Historic District
23 and 25 East 64th Street and 740 Madison Avenue. A neo-Grec
style rowhouse designed by John G. Prague and built in 1879-1880
and altered at the upper two floors in the neo-Federal style by
Pickering and Walker in 1907-1908 and again in 1926 by J.R. Bonner
and A. Weiser; an Italianate style rowhouse designed by John G.
Prague and built in 1879-1880 and altered in 1919 and 1926; and
a neo-Grec style rowhouse built in 1879 and altered in the neo-French
Renaissance style by Mantle Fielding in 1901 and in 1919. Application
is to alter the facades and install new storefronts.
HDC Testimony
HDC is opposed to this application for façade alterations
and new storefronts. LPC's policy has been that once the corner
is turned on to a side street, storefronts should be more subdued.
Instead, this plan continues an overtly commercial feel three
buildings into the block. The uncharacteristic quantity of glass
gives the buildings a suburban mall feel and the upper floors
the look of standing on stilts. We feel this would be in questionable
taste, even if this were not a landmark.
LPC Determination: Incomplete
Hearing Date: 6/5/2007
LPC Docket Number: 075372
Brooklyn, Block: 209, Lot: 337
162 Columbia Heights - Brooklyn Heights Historic District
A Greek Revival style rowhouse built in 1844. Application is to
alter the rear façade.
HDC Testimony
In general, HDC supports this application as it is obviously an
improvement over the present condition. We feel this is an opportunity
to undo the damage of previous projects, but with a façade
so visible we feel it is also important to have a design that
is more than just nice, it should be something truly appropriate.
Once again we question the lack of historic photos. Assuming none
exist, are there comparable rear facades elsewhere in the neighborhood
that would give better idea?
While HDC appreciates that the rail was chosen to match that
found on the upper floors, we do not feel any of it is appropriate.
We urge the applicant to look at other railings in the neighborhood
to find something more in keeping with, and less distracting to,
the rowhouse. HDC also questions what colors and materials are
proposed for the retractable awning on the third floor.
The details of this proposal should be carefully thought out
so that this may be the last alteration this overly altered façade
will have to undergo for quite some time.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 6/5/2007
LPC Docket Number: 077359
Manhattan, Block: 144, Lot: 22
46-50 Hudson Street - TriBeCa West Historic District
An early 20th century Commercial style factory building designed
by William F. Hemstreet and built in 1925. Application is to alter
window openings.
HDC Testimony
HDC approves of this plan to alter window openings and applauds
the use of wood windows. Our only question is in regards to the
original sills. Are they limestone? Can they be reused instead
of the proposed new precast concrete? We feel that the retention
of as much historic fabric as possible should always be a goal
of any problem.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 6/5/2007
LPC Docket Number: 076526
Manhattan, Block: 621, Lot: 8
550 Hudson Street - Greenwich Village Historic District
A residential building constructed in 1861 and altered in the
early 20th century. Application is to install storefront infill
and a barrier-free access ramp.
HDC Testimony
HDC questions the need to add a ramp to the exterior of this building.
A widened front door with the sidewalk sloping up to it is part
of the proposal already – wouldn’t it be easier to
use this main entrance and create an interior ramp?
We are concerned by some unclear aspects of the boards presented.
For example, the handle is shown in the elevation on the left
side of the door, when it should be on the right according to
the plan. Also, we could not determine the length of the new lintel
over the door. If a ramp is to be installed and other alterations
made, the details should be fully planned and explained.
Barrier-free access is an important issue, and certainly we will
be seeing more and more ramps in the city’s historic districts.
To maintain open sidewalks and help preserve the character of
these streetscapes, interior ramps should be used wherever possible.
LPC Determination: Approved
Hearing Date: 6/5/2007
LPC Docket Number: 075741
Manhattan, Block: 1393, Lot: 27
51 East 78th Street - Upper East Side Historic District
An altered vernacular neo-Georgian style tenement building designed
by Thom & Wilson and built in 1893-1894. Application is to
construct a rooftop addition and terrace and install mechanical
equipment.
HDC Testimony
HDC does not approve of this application as the rooftop addition
would be too visible and its design with so much glazing would
be out of context. In addition the application creates a visible
bulkhead where the present bulkhead is not. We urge that the project
be brought down to scale.
LPC Determination: Approved
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