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Landmarking FAQs (Frequently asked Questions) 1. What is a landmark district and a landmarked building? A landmark district is an area specifically recognized to be worthy of special attention and protection. The Landmarks Preservation Commission has designated this area because of the architectural, historical, and sometimes cultural “sense of place” that makes it worthy of special attention and preservation. A landmarked building within a historic district is a contributor to that sense of place. An exceptional building within, or outside of an historic district can be individually designated. Any alteration, reconstruction, demolition or new construction within an historic district or on a landmarked building must be approved by the LPC. 2. What part of my house or building comes under the LPC’s jurisdiction? The front façade of your building, including the front lawn, stoop, and fence. If the back or sides of your building can be seen from the street, the LPC also has jurisdiction here. If you are filing a permit with the Dept. of Buildings, LPC will also be notified of that filing; work on a deck or backyard addition may come under their jurisdiction if they feel it may compromise the historic integrity of the historic district. 3. Do they have any jurisdiction on the inside of my house? No. Exception being if your interior work affects the façade. 4. Do I need an LPC permit for every piece of work I do on the outside of my house or building? No. You do NOT need a permit for ordinary maintenance or repairs, such as replacing window glass or repainting in the same colors as before. 5. Will the LPC make me repair my house to look like the year it was built, or to look old? No. Changes made to the house that exist at the time of landmarking are grandfathered in, that is, they are accepted for what they are, at that time. The LPC does not require you to change them back. However, if you do decide to do work on a landmarked property, you must file for a permit from the LPC. Most minor changes require only a certificate of non-effect, which go through LPC staff with little delay. This certifies that your repairs or changes will have little or no effect on the historic character of the building. Major changes, such as changing the façade of the building, or building a roof addition, or back addition that can be seen from the street, must go before a review committee. You and your architect or contractor must first present it to your community board land use committee. If they approve it, your petition goes before the LPC’s committee. Major changes need architectural plans, sketches and/or models to aid in your presentation. Please note – most projects are not this major, and do not require this amount of scrutiny. But the LPC takes this part of their job very seriously, as they should. 6. Will the LPC make me replace my vinyl or aluminum windows with wood? Wood is very expensive, and I can’t afford it. If you are changing your windows, (or doors), the LPC would like to see period appropriate windows or doors installed. This is a job that requires an LPC permit. However, the LPC does understand that windows are expensive, and does allow for alternative windows, other than wood. Check with an LPC representative, and see what options you have. 7. What will happen to me if I don’t get permission from the LPC, and I go ahead and change my façade? If an LPC staff member or community member reports a violation, the LPC will issue a letter requesting that the homeowner file for an LPC permit. If a permit is then filed, the LPC may require that the job be redone, or removed. If the homeowner refuses to rectify the situation, a fine may be issued. The LPC is not a collection agency. The fine and the violation will sit on the records. If the house is to be sold, or if a permit from the DOB is sought, then the homeowner is obliged to take care of the LPC violation, as well as any fines, before any other permits will be issued. In the case of a sale, the violation is on the books and will have to be addressed before title is transferred. All in all, it’s better to file before doing the job, and get LPC approval. It will eventually catch up with you, otherwise, and cost more in the long run. In extreme cases of neglect, the LPC has the power to sue a building owner to prevent demolition by neglect that is abandoning a building until it is too far gone to rehab or repair. The LPC has taken building owners to court on this issue and won. 8. All of this sounds like a lot of extra time and money. Why is landmarking even worth having? Although it is another layer of bureaucracy, it is worth having landmark status. Historic neighborhoods like Crown Heights North retain their worth better than non-landmarked areas. Neighborhoods protected by landmarking will be protected from out of context development, insuring that buildings that do not conform with the neighborhoods historic character cannot be built, and existing buildings cannot be torn down in order to build new buildings. This does not mean that the neighborhood can never change or progress. Permits for new buildings, and rehabbing of old buildings can take place, but the new buildings must be built to be contextual to the neighboring buildings around it. This will ensure that our important architectural treasures are preserved, and the gracious streetscapes that attracted us to Crown Heights North will be there for future generations to enjoy. |
