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May 8, 2009
Landmark Society
I am in the process of buying a historical landmark home in Ft. Greene and would like to know how strict the landmark society is in regards to the facade of the house. Want to restore it but not sure what I can and can not do. Am I correct in assuming they only govern the facade and not the interior or back of the home?
Comments
Check out the Landmarks Preservation Commission on the nyc.gov website (LPC is a city agency). There's lots of useful info there about how they work with homeowners. Frankly, a new facade job is hugely expensive whether you live in a historic district or not. It's a $25-50k undertaking, depending on the size of your house and who you hire. Unless your facade had all its original details removed in a previous renovation, complying with LPC regulations is unlikely to significantly drive up the cost. There are also some loan programs available for homeowners who need to do this work in historic districts.
Posted by: grand army at May 8, 2009 6:27 PM
Read this to to see the scope of their jurisdiction http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/rules.pdf
Everything exterior,except for plantings is supposed to be approved by the LPC. Everything.
Posted by: edifice rex at May 8, 2009 6:27 PM
Grand Army's right. And back of the house & even garden are under landmark jurisdiction.
Posted by: Arkady at May 8, 2009 7:11 PM
Only the part of the house visible from a public thoroughfare is under Landmark jurisdiction so it's highly unlikely that the back of the house and garden are regulated.
Posted by: jfss at May 8, 2009 7:58 PM
jfss I would be happy if you were right but you are wrong.
Posted by: edifice rex at May 8, 2009 9:08 PM
Just echoing edifice rex—in historic districts, LPC has jurisdiction over repairs/construction to backs and sides of building, including facade, brick, mortar, repointing, repairs to metal bays, etc. We've done repairs to front and rear that require LPC approval. They are not the misery that people like to make them out to be. They do require applications by qualified professionals and some extra time and funds to obtain approval. LPC distinguishes between what is called "ordinary maintenance" or repairs and repairs requiring approval. LPC has recently posted several new publications to its website. In addition to the link above, see: http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/workguide.pdf
which is a simpler, older version of the link posted above by edifice rex. Also see this link (and sublinks) in general: http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/forms/publications.shtml
Posted by: vinca at May 8, 2009 10:17 PM
they have jurisdiction over the whole interior. however, they will allow changes so long as not visible from the street (usually).
Posted by: slick at May 9, 2009 4:47 PM
***************************CORRECTION************************
they have jurisdiction over the whole exterior. however, they will allow changes so long as not visible from the street (usually).
Posted by: slick at May 9, 2009 4:48 PM
Thank you all for some great information. Can't wait to be part of the Ft. Greene neighborhood! Went to my first FLEA
and loved every bit of it. The food was great, the people very friendly and within walking distance from our future home. Again many thanks!
Posted by: nypaulie at May 10, 2009 9:46 AM
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