Illegal Paint Job on Landmarked Block of Clinton Hill
We just got a tip that someone just started painting one of the brownstones on Grand Avenue between Gates and Putnam white this morning. (Yes, a certain blogger does live on this block.) Something tells us the Landmarks Preservation Commission didn’t sign off on this. If any readers are nearby, we’d appreciate a photo asap….
We just got a tip that someone just started painting one of the brownstones on Grand Avenue between Gates and Putnam white this morning. (Yes, a certain blogger does live on this block.) Something tells us the Landmarks Preservation Commission didn’t sign off on this. If any readers are nearby, we’d appreciate a photo asap. If anyone from LPC is reading, please get on the stick! Update 7/27: Here’s the photo from about 11:20 this morning. The address is 373 Grand Avenue. LPC confirms that there are no permits out on this.
Update 7/29: As the Daily News article reports, it turns out that—luckily—the owner was only repainting the area around the door. While we understand that some people feel it was an overreaction on our part to post about this before all the facts were known, here’s why we think it was warranted: First of all, had the painters been intending to paint the entire facade, every second counted when we got the tip (we were in fact in Dumbo, and not just across the street, when the tip came in, so popping over for a friendly chat was not an option); secondly, we were on the phone with LPC within five minutes of getting the tip, and LPC told us that (1) the owner had no permit for the painting and (2) that he had racked up, and failed to cure, several other landmark violations over the years. All these factors led us to conclude that, on balance, it was not worth taking the risk that something really destructive might happen. You know, better safe than sorry. With 20/20 hindsight, this was clearly the wrong call. Apologies to the owner—our obsession with historic brownstones may have gotten the better of us on this one.
Bottom photo by Rosier for the Daily News
The comments re: the war in Iraq are totally obnoxious. Taking interest in a local issue does not detract from anyone’s ability to continue to be aware of and extremely concerned about national and world events. Can we sic the LPC on W? Doesn’t seem like anyone else is going after him and his administration.
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After checking the LPCs site, I found the following info. It does not get into specifics like paint colors, but it does state that any owners of landmarked buildings must have a permit before they pick up a paint brush.
In a nutshell, what are the Commission’s regulations?
The Commission preserves landmark buildings by reviewing and approving proposed alterations to the exterior of a landmarked building as well as the related features, such as fences and sidewalks. Approval must be obtained from the Commission before beginning work. Additionally, approval is required for changes to an interior if the interior is a designated interior landmark, the changes will affect the exterior of the building, or the work requires a permit from the Department of Buildings. Once the Commission has granted approval for a proposed change, a permit is issued. Finally, the owner of a landmarked building is responsible for maintaining the property in “good repair.”
Type A violations include serious alterations to important architectural elements, such as cornices, stoops, windows, and storefronts; additionally, construction of rooftop or backyard additions may fit into this category. First-time type A violations are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, if a second NOV is issued, there will be a fine of up to $250 per day, with a minimum fine of $5,000.
Type B violations include all other, less serious infractions, such as painting a facade a new color, replacing a single window, or installing a light, sign, flagpole or banner. First-time Type B violations are punishable by a fine of up to $500; if a second NOV is issued, there will be a fine of up to $50 per day, with a minimum fine of $500.
Stella, does cement stucco qualify as unpainted masonry? There is a big difference between original Triassic sandstone and modern day pigmented cement stucco.
This is the most interesting chain of comments, you would think that New Yorkers have nothing better to do than write stupid comments that have NOTHING to do with the blog or the article. Remember folks that disagree with what Mr. B did – this blog is BROWNSTONER, if you are interested in commenting on the state of the world or life in America or your black-white agenda – do a search on Google – you can find a site or two that will give you that opportunity.
The reason America is the way we are (Wonderful and Free) is because rules are made and one must make a point of finding out what the rules are before jumping in. If a mistake was made, hopefully it can be rectified, but if this was done in disregard of the rules, they should be punished. Common sense folks!
If you do not like it – DO NOT LIVE or VISIT a LANDMARKED AREA!! You are free to live in an area that lets you do whatever you want – there are certainly more of those areas than Landmarked ones.
LPC regs (condensed)
1.ou do not paint unpainted masonry, ever,
2. you may repaint masonry that is “grandfathered” as long as it is the same color, or the color of the underlying maasonry, ie: brick red, brownstone brown.
3. wood trim and siding has to be painted historically appropriate colors (there are books on the subject) some of these colors are surprisingly odd, and they are OK, but they need to be a traditional color scheme that enhances rather than detracts from the original architectural style of the building.
That’s it,
is that rocket science?
and for all you fledling anarchists out there, you should not be afraid of the landmarks commission, you should be afraid of me, and the hundreds of battle-axes like me out there, male and female, who are your worst nightmare.
Not so impressive. At least a third were me. I’m home sick in bed. There may have been two or three other people.
Wish the Three Brownstonerteers could bring the troops home. Maybe tomorrow when I feel better.
An entire day has passed and no one has cited the LPC regulations regarding paint and paint colors.
WOW !
“Illegal Paint Job on Landmarked Block of Clinton Hill”
109 posts in 7 hrs. Brownstoner, you should tell the American People that “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (or what ever CNN calls it now) is putting our historic districts at risk and they would be home in a week!
tell em , tell em.
6:12
The suburbs? The rules are super strict in those developments. Paint, plants, mailbox, etc… Landmarks looks calm compared to those places. At least here we are driven by preservation. There it is some mall ideal, some Martha thing, status. I know someone that lives (unfortunately) in a place that dictates the brand of golf cart that you can own.
one final rant, if this were my block, not only would i call the landmarks commission, i would call the cops and then i would go there myself and yell at the painters.