The NYT Sunday real estate section reports on frustrations with the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission?basically, that decisions can seem?brace yourself?arbitrary. To confirm the rumors, reporter Alexandra Bandon visits a Landmarks Commission hearing:
A couple of items down on the docket, the commission considered rooftop and rear additions on 823 Park Avenue, a luxury apartment building at 75th Street. After the architects presented drawings, plans and elevations, including a model of the entire block, a parade of residents from neighboring buildings rose to protest the design, calling the rear addition a "monolith" and "tumorlike growth" and saying that it would block light to their homes. It seemed clear that the public outcry would persuade the commissioners to reject the plan. Yet they approved the rear addition.Another victory for the little guy!
· Stop Work [NYTimes]
· Suggestions for Working with the Landmarks Commission [NYTimes]