Warm Reception for Stuy Heights Extension

Last night’s meeting for homeowners in the Stuyvesant Heights Extension, already calendared since 1993, was well attended, so much so that extra chairs had to be opened to accommodate everyone. Answering questions were representatives of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Historic Districts Council, the Landmarks Conservancy and the NY State Preservation League. The usual questions about what a homeowner needs to do to comply with LPC regulations were explained, as well as information about state and federal tax credits for work done on landmarked properties, as per programs administered through the NYS Preservation League, a very limited number of grants from both the LPC and Landmarks Conservancy, and the low interest loans also administrated through the Conservancy. From the turnout and opinions expressed by the people at the meeting, it seemed clear that the Stuyvesant Heights community is very anxious to be further landmarked; the survey that ran on Brownstoner yesterday confirmed this fact, with 54 out of 59 respondents voting in support of the landmark extension. Even with this positive response, the designation process will still take at least one or two more years, as the report detailing over 800 buildings has yet to be written, every homeowner in the new district contacted by LPC, and informed of what is happening, a formal hearing held at LPC, at vote by the Commission, plus votes from the Planning Board, and the full City Council. The journey has just begun.