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FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts Saturday, May 13, 2017
Historic Preservation
and Landmarks in New York City
Elizabeth Fagan
FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts
Landmarks in New York City
The New York City Landmarks Law
• Enacted in 1965 • Protects historic sites and neighborhoods from
changes that could destroy or fundamentally alter their character
• Created the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which is authorized to designate individual landmarks and historic districts, and to approve changes made to landmarked sites
Mission: • Safeguard the city's historic, aesthetic, and cultural
heritage • Help stabilize and improve property values in historic
districts • Encourage civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments
of the past • Protect and enhance the city's attractions for tourists • Strengthen the city's economy • Promote the use of landmarks for the education,
pleasure, and welfare of the people of New York City
The New York City Landmarks
Preservation Commission (LPC)
“A landmark is a building, property, or object that has 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.” -NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
What is a Landmark?
Types of Landmarks
Individual Landmark
Historic Districts
Scenic Landmark
Interior Landmark
Criteria for Landmark Designation
• At least 30 years old • Have architectural, cultural or
historic significance • Historic districts must have
distinct “sense of place”
• At least 30 years old • Have architectural, cultural or
historic significance • Historic districts must have distinct
“sense of place” • Scenic landmarks must be City-
owned property • Interior landmarks must be
publically accessible
Historic Districts and Individual Landmarks on the Upper East Side
• 7 historic districts • 129 individual landmarks
• Includes a partial facade and two clocks!
• 2 scenic landmarks • 3 interior landmarks
11 Commissioners • One from each borough • One city planner or
landscape architect • Three architects • One historian • One realtor 60+ Staff • Research department • Preservation department
Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)
Designation Process Step 1 Fill out a Request for Evaluation (RFE) form, and submit it to the LPC.
Designation Process Step 2 The LPC votes to “calendar” a building.
Step 3 The LPC holds a public hearing.
Designation Process Step 4 The LPC votes to designate a building at a public meeting.
Step 5 LPC issues a designation report.
Designation Process Step 6 The designation goes to Department of City Planning for review.
Step 7 The designation is approved or rescinded by City Council.
Changes to Landmark Properties
Types of Permits:
• Certificate of Appropriateness
• Certificate of No Effect • Permit for Minor Work
Public Hearing Process
Step 1 An application is submitted to the LPC and assigned to a staff member.
Step 2 The Community Board Landmarks Committee reviews the project and gives an advisory resolution.
Public Hearing Process
Step 3 The project is scheduled for a public hearing at the LPC.
Step 4 The application is approved, denied, or no action is taken. If no action is taken, the item returns for a public meeting at a later date.
FRIENDS’ Landmark Successes
Hardenbergh/Rhinelander Historic District (1998)
FRIENDS’ Landmark Successes
Lexington Avenue Extension of the Upper East Side Historic District (2010)
FRIENDS’ Landmark Successes
Lexington Avenue Extension of the Upper East Side Historic District (2010)
FRIENDS’ Landmark Successes
The Yorkville Bank Building (2012)
FRIENDS’ Landmark Successes
The Barbizon Hotel for Women (2012)
FRIENDS’ Landmark Successes
412 East 85th Street (2016)
The National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places
• The federal government’s official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation
• Created in 1966 when the National Historic Preservation Act was passed
• Administered by the National Park Service • An honorary title, but does not protect properties
from alteration or demolition • Properties can benefit from federal and state tax
credits for restoration work
Criteria for National Register Listing
• At least 50 years old • At least one of the following:
• Associated with significant historical events, periods, trends, or movements
• Associated with a significant person in our past • A good example of an architectural style, or
represent the work of a master • May yield information important to history or
prehistory
Online Sources for NYC Landmarks and National Register Information
The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
www.nyc.gov/landmarks
The NY State Historic Preservation Office www.parks.ny.gov/shpo
The National Register of Historic Places
www.nps.gov/nr
The National Trust for Historic Preservation www.savingplaces.org
