More Oversight for New Windows on Landmarks?
The Brooklyn Paper has a story about how the city is looking to beef up restrictions on homeowners who want to put in new windows on the sides of buildings in historic districts, a move that comes after the stir caused by Norah Jones putting in windows on the side of her Cobble Hill house…
The Brooklyn Paper has a story about how the city is looking to beef up restrictions on homeowners who want to put in new windows on the sides of buildings in historic districts, a move that comes after the stir caused by Norah Jones putting in windows on the side of her Cobble Hill house and, perhaps, the controversy over 227 Clinton’s owner wanting to do the same. According to the article, the current law governing such alterations is “ambiguous,” and an LPC spokeswoman says there’s “a need for the Commission to set a limit on the number, size, pattern and placement of visible window openings on secondary facades.” Meanwhile, Roy Sloane, the president of the Cobble Hill Association, had this to say about the matter: “How can we preserve our landmarks when windows can be put in places where windows were never intended to go?”
City to Close ‘Norah’ Loophole [BK Paper]
Photo from Lost City.
“In any movement there are always those who go too far and lose all common sense. Roy is one of them. When he carries on about the preservationists, benson is another. ”
So I take it that rather than argue your side, you will resort to ad hominen attacks.
I think we both give the LPC more power than it actually has, and then complain that they have too much power.
The LPC does not have the jurisdiction or mandate to do what Donatella wants them to do:take care of sidewalks, weird doors or even falling down buildings. The first and last are the DOB, weird doors, unless impeding access or egress, well….you’re stuck with them, unless the owner wants to upgrade.
As to Benson’s allegations, the LPC is here to protect historic neighborhoods and structures. They are not the zoning police, nor are they city planning. To blame them for a lack of supply in the housing market is absurd. Next, they’ll be blamed for global warming.
“I think those blank sidewalls were of necessity at the time they were built. Houses were planed to abut each other with no airspace. But if that didn’t happen, or if gaps appeared in the row.”
Exactly. Why on earth would the Victorians with their lack of electricity not want extra windows for extra light? Hilarious. It’s not because of taste or design because they didn’t want them. The buildings were built in a way to allow other buildings to be attached to them. If that didn’t happen and isn’t going to happen adding windows should be encouraged. In this day and age we should be doing everything we can to use less electricity ourselves. The more windows the more sunlight and air coming in and the less people are turning on their lights and fans and AC. It can mean having to heat more in Winter too, but perhaps super insulated windows could be required.
I’ve said it before and say it again — Landmarks is going to have to get with the green movement. That means finding a compromise on things like adding windows, solar panels that may be visible from the street, green roofs etc.
Roy sloane sounds like he has nothing better to do than go around counting windows on landmarked homes in his area. In any movement there are always those who go too far and lose all common sense. Roy is one of them. When he carries on about the preservationists, benson is another.
Dona, just what I mean. Empower LPC to deal with basic and obvious issues (ones you mentioned and teardowns, etc.) and get them out of small details. Including color, which is one of my big bugaboos…I like the variously painted doors on my block (which btw, is a set of 23 mirror-image buildings end to end). I’d hate to be stopped by LPC when I want to repaint my door.
Before my house gets landmarked, I think I’ll get an artist to mural-ize the entire facade.
Hey guys, get the story straight, Landmarks is NOT stopping people from putting new windows on the secondary facades of their buildings. They have long-established rules that allow them to be approved at staff level. It is community activists, like Mr. Sloane, who are objecting to these rules and who want the Commission to change their stance.
“I want Benson and Roy Sloane to go at it mano a mano in a mud wrestling ring. ”
Would Roy wear his top hat? And benson his borsalino?
I really think cracking down on putting attractive windows in the sides of brownstones is …. being nice today….. misguided and a waste of effort. I am agreeing with dibs, mm, bxgrl and stargazer… There are windows on the sides of brownstones. And bringing in light is a vast improvement.
I sometimes think that the job of Landmarks is so huge that they just can’t help but be arbitrary in their focus. My street is landmarked and a total mess. Sidewalks, falling down buildings, wierd doors, etc. How about “cracking down” on some of that.
I want Benson and Roy Sloane to go at it mano a mano in a mud wrestling ring. People would buy tickets.