LANDMARK PUBLIC HEARING @ LPC - OCTOBER 30th, 2007

About the Designation Process
The Landmarks Law requires that, to be designated, a potential landmark must be at least 30 years old and must possess "a special character or special historical or aesthetic interest or value as part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the city, state, or nation."

DUMBO is calendared to be designated an Historic District

Historic Districts are areas of the city that possess architectural and historical significance and a distinct "sense of place," such as Ladies Mile in Manhattan, Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, and, hopefully soon, DUMBO. Most NYC Historic Districts are largely residential in nature, but some industrial areas like Tribeca, SoHo and Gansevoort have been designated, and they have prospered.

The LPC Public Hearing for DUMBO will occur on October 30th, 2007.

We won't get the exact time of the hearing until a about a week before - but we need as many people as possible to show up that day and /or continue to send in letters in SUPPORT of landmarking.

Public Hearing

The LPC holds a public hearing for each area that the full Commission has voted to consider for designation. Notice of the hearing is published in the City Record and sent to neighborhood property owners, the City Planning Commission, and the affected community boards and elected officials.

What can I do?

  1. At the hearing a member of the Research Department makes a brief presentation about the district under consideration. The Chairman then asks whether anyone would like to speak. All interested parties are then encouraged to present their opinions on the proposed designation. Folks will sign up that day to speak. Each will have about 3 minutes to say why they think the area should landmarked. Bring a copy of the testimony to hand in for the public record *. The commissioners will not make any comments; they will just listen. Interested parties can also submit written statements about the proposed designation at the hearing or after the hearing, up to the time that the Commission votes on the proposed designation.

      2. It is of the utmost importance that property owners OTHER than developers and landlords attend and testify in favor of landmarking. Landmarking almost always acts to increase property values. It also proposes adaptive re-use of historic structures and helps enormously to limit out-of-scale, inappropriate development.

  2. Whether you can attend the hearing or not, please send a letter to LPC

    It is the most effective communication - we have been told by the LPC that they really need to see the continued support of residents and owners, and that a growing pile of letters makes a cannot-be-ignored, tangible impression. We've included a several samples to make it easy, or email the Commission here. Be sure to cc Councilman David Yassky at david@davidyassky.com.

(*Download the sample testimonies and letters here.)

How will this affect me?

Landmark designation chiefly regulates the exterior of buildings. Interior alterations and usage are largely unaffected by designation.

How long does it take to get permits?

The LPC issues the vast majority - over 80% of their permits in 10 days or less.

What are the benefits of designation?

In addition to protecting the architectural character of DUMBO, landmark designation also allows neighborhood residents to have a say in the future of their neighborhood through public meetings. Many ill-conceived plans for inappropriate developments have been stopped or greatly altered by a community's participation in the landmarks process.

Why is it important for me to come to the hearing or contact the LPC about this?

Just because the Landmarks Commission is holding a hearing doesn't mean this designation will happen. Your support is imperative if we want to save DUMBO's historic character. It's like voting, if you don't show up - then you give up your right to be heard.

Local developers have been working hard to stop our designation because it may limit their maximum profit by setting some responsible guidelines. Developers have already been running an anti-landmarking PR campaign and will send their employees to testify. Landmarking will not halt the growth of this neighborhood's residential population or the services that will continue to come in and serve our growing population. Landmarking may help to preserve the currently enjoyed mix of artistic, creative and commercial services co-existing with residents- a combination of factors that helps make DUMBO the great community it is now.

( To find out what happens after the public hearing, click here.)