The COMMission - LANDMARK WEST

12 Commissioners decide the fate of what gets landmarked and preserved for the future and what changes are allowed – yet all but one are serving on expired terms.

UPDATE! Executive Director Sarah Carroll has been tapped to become the next LPC Chair. A Committee Hearing was held on Thursday, September 20th. Confirmation by the City Council was confirmed on Wednesday, September 26th.

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is the smallest of the City’s Agencies, yet is the “largest municipal preservation agency in the nation”. Its ~80 person staff stretches across several departments: Research, Preservation, Enforcement, Archaeology, and Environmental Review. The Chair of the Commission is appointed by the mayor. The remainder of the Commission is an assembly of representatives from each of the five boroughs as well as a Planner, an Historian, a Realtor and Architects. The current commission:

Sarah Carroll, Chair; Confirmed Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Fred Bland, Vice Chair; Term expired June 28, 2016

** On Tuesday, May 29th, Fred Bland was elevated to Vice Chair and served as interim Chair **

Adi Shamir Baron, Historian; Term expired June 28, 2016

Diana Chapin; Term expired June 28, 2015

Wellington Z. Chen, Architect; Term expired June 28, 2017

Michael Devonshire; Term expired June 28, 2012

Michael Goldblum, Architect; Term expired June 28, 2014

John Gustafsson; Term expired June 28, 2017

Anne Holford-Smith; Architect; Term expired June 28, 2019

Jeanne Lutfy, Realtor; Term expired June 28, 2017

Everado Jefferson, Architect; Term ends __________

Previously:

Meenakshi Srinivasan, Chair & Planner; Term expired June 28, 2016-Resigning as of June 1, 2018

Among legacy projects from the Srinivasan era are a revamp to the rules which the Commission operates according to. After much push back, although changes to the rules are continuing for consideration, but there WILL BE a second public hearing on the proposed changes–this is all thanks to joint advocacy efforts! Details on the latest proposed changes HERE, with FULL TEXT HERE. It is also hopefully a harbinger of a new era of leadership–on wherein the public again has a voice. Stay tuned to our blog for updates on the future hearing and changes in store.

Read LW! blog posts for more history & news on the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Mayor’s Press Release on New LPC Chair

Sep 27, 2018 | City Hall, Landmarks Preservation Commission

The Mayor's Press office have issued the following press release about the appointment of Sarah Carroll as the new Chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Read the full release HERE, or copied below: Mayor de Blasio Appoints Sarah Carroll as New Chair of the...

“Off-Broadway”

Sep 6, 2018 | Advocacy, Landmarks Preservation Commission, MIH-Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, West End Avenue, ZQA-Zoning for Quality and Affordability

In 2015, LW! pressed the Landmarks Preservation Commission to maintain the original boundaries of the Riverside-West End Historic District Extension II. Unfortunately, after a vote, they did not, hence the "de Blasio Diet" where every building that was not...

Revolving Door: Meenakshi Srinivasan takes a turn

Aug 22, 2018 | Landmarks Preservation Commission

Round and round it goes! While there are laws in place at the state level to prevent conflicts of interest and government employees from working in similar arenas in the private sector for a certain window, the City laws are less stringent. They make suggestions but...

Experienced Candidate Wanted

Aug 2, 2018 | Landmarks Preservation Commission, LPC, preservation

Experienced Candidate Wanted City Council Speaker: Next LPC Chair Should Have "A Record of Supporting Our City's Historic Heritage" In a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson has called for the next Landmarks Preservation...

The Next Step: LPC to Hold Hearing for Revised Rules Changes

Jul 31, 2018 | Advocacy, Landmarks Law, Landmarks Preservation Commission, LPC, New York City, preservation, When the Process Works

The Next Step LPC to Hold Hearing for Revised Rules Changes Earlier this year, LANDMARK WEST! joined neighbors and fellow advocacy groups to speak out in opposition to the Landmark Preservation Commission's proposed rules changes. LW! had four major concerns (you can...