Landmark fence install

I’m on a landmark block in brooklyn. My home is the only one on the block without a front fence and I’d like to rectify that so we can put in a front garden.

I talked to some fence / gate installers and got quotes and all of them (naturally) think I should skip the landmark application. But they say they’ll use the exact same “landmark fencing” as my neighbors and a couple have dealt with this situation before. I personally do not mind filing the application, or even hiring a lawyer or expediter. I simply don’t want to wait years for a front garden, but nor do I want to get fined/stop work/have to remove the installed fence.

I’ve looked at the tax photo from 1930s and there’s no fence there either, I think because we have one of those larger “L” stoops that face inwards instead of facing the street and there’s no obvious place to put a fence that wouldn’t jut out into the sidewalk. We’d put the fence behind the stoop entrance closer to the house.

Any suggestions from the experts here?

Guest User | 6 years and 3 months ago

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astoriahomeowner

in Exteriors 6 years and 2 months ago

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Skipping Landmark approval is a BAD idea. It sounds like you want to do the right thing, and LPC encourages this. You might have to wait a few weeks for landmark approval, but give them a call to find out.

jimhillra | 6 years and 2 months ago

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Do you have an engineer’s survey of the property? Can you tell if the stoop is entirely within your property? In many cases, it is not. Adding a fence beyond the front property line would not only require LPC permission but also DOB and DOT. You could have to file for a DOT revocable consent. Revocable consent is relatively easy, albeit time-consuming, if it’s in a landmark district and the work is consistent with other properties. Otherwise, it could be difficult.

krobertson

in Exteriors 6 years and 2 months ago

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If historically there was no fence, and none mentioned in the designation report. Landmarks will probably make you go through the public hearing process, not the easier staff level approval. Its a major pain…happened to a neighbor.

yudashasom | 6 years and 3 months ago

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From what you describe it sounds like what you want to do might not be historically correct. Before doing the work and getting a violation, or hiring an architect – I would do what someone else said and inquire with LPC.

NeoGrec | 6 years and 3 months ago

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There may also be mentions of the original condition in the historic designation report — perhaps, as Arkady suggests, with no fences from the get-go. You should be able to find the report (with a little digging) on the LPC site.

NeoGrec | 6 years and 3 months ago

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LPC will respond to home owner inquiries so you shouldn’t need a lawyer or expediter. Generally they want to help people who are trying to comply. Check out their website (part of NYC.gov) for contact info. You can even visit them in person — I once accompanied a neighbor who was having problems obtaining a permit for replacement windows. Yes, they are bureaucratic, but nowhere near as dysfunctional or corrupt as DOB.

Arkady | 6 years and 3 months ago

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There are several houses w/ similar fronts on Lincoln Pl. between 7th & 6th Av.s which is also landmarked. Only one has put in any kind of fence. You might want to take a look – bottom third of the street & on the south side.

dougb | 6 years and 3 months ago

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Why not start your garden this Spring? There are plenty of low cost options to shield your plants from getting stepped on and as long as they aren’t permanent they don’t need landmark approval. In most neighborhoods people respect the gardens. A historic style fence would be nice – but given the investment you want to make sure it is approved by landmarks. If it would exactly match the neighbors then maybe you could do the application yourself using photos, etc. But don’t let this hold back the garden!