Last week, Mayor de Blasio signed legislation that requires strict timelines for New York City landmark designation. The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) regulates historic properties across the five boroughs which include 139 historic districts, 1,364 individual landmarks, 117 interior landmarks and 10 scenic landmarks.
Recently, LPC has been working to address a large backlog of properties that have been under consideration for designation since before 2010. The new legislation will help make the designation process more efficient and transparent.
The new timeframes require that LPC make a decision on designation within one year for individual landmarks and two years for historic districts. After this time period elapses, the property or district is removed from the commission’s calendar. The designation period may be extended for an individual property for an additional year at the recommendation of the chair only with the written consent of the owner.
To read the Mayor’s press release, click here. To see the full text of this bill click here.