Additional Resources
City of New York Land Marks Preservation Commission
New York State Historic Preservation Office
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Preservation League of New York State
New York Land Marks Conservancy
The Neighborhood Preservation Center
The Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association, Inc. is a Not-For-Profit 501(c)(1) Corporation
Most residents who responded to that question on our 2006 survey were very sure they did. They lived in brownstones or row houses - they had wrought iron gates, front gardens, bluestone sidewalks, Victorian garden lights -- of course they lived in the historic district!
Most were startled to learn that wasn't true. The only landmarked historic district in Carroll Gardens consists of the two blocks of Carroll and President Streets between Smith and Hoyt. Although much of Carroll Gardens was developed in the mid-19th C and looks like a quaint Victorian neighborhood, charming gardens and tree lined streets have nothing to do with landmark designation.
Vincent Favorito, Chair of the CGNA Landmarks Committee, has written a FAQ which you may find helpful.
What exactly is landmarking?
Landmarking is a specific land use designation granted by the NYC Landmarks Commission (LPC). This designation protects and preserves the facades of individual buildings throughout the 5 boroughs. Landmarking applies to the front of a building; the LPC addresses the street face of a building and protects the facade as a model of its type.
Landmarking regulations apply to the outside front of a building and extend to those parts of the building that can be seen from the street, usually 12" from the front roof line. When a building is land marked by the City, the owner is subject to the LPC procedures, i.e. permits are required for certain repairs. A prospective buyer must be advised of the landmark status of the building before purchase.
What is the purpose of landmarking?
Landmarking places value on the architectural style, the façade of a building as it is when the landmarking is done. If the neighboring buildings are likewise designated the historical context is maintained; the area is visually consistent and attractive. Should any new buildings be constructed in a landmarked district they must comply with the LPC standards.
Why does landmarking matter now?
Landmarking is one option we can use to protect and preserve the Carroll Gardens streetscape. You don't have to go far to see the effects of the current development free-for-all. It is harder to find new buildings that fit in; there are plenty designed with no relevance to the brownstone scale, palette, appearance or style. Landmarking requires adherence to context and style; the character of the buildings work together. New buildings can be built -- the town houses on the landmarked block of Carroll Street (Smith & Hoyt), for example.
Facades can be repaired, doors fixed, windows replaced and brownstone reapplied. The repairs must meet LPC standards. Should an area be landmarked, all the buildings within the landmarked district are "grandfathered", meaning they are landmarked just the way they are. The owner is not required to find an authentic 1847 door handle that might have been original to the building if the one replaced is from Lowe's stock.
Is anything being done to landmark Carroll Gardens now?
The Carroll Gardens Association, Inc. (CGA), the development group on Columbia Street that is a separate entity from CGNA, filed an application for a Request for Evaluation to the City Landmarks Preservation Commission in February 2006. The CGA, Inc has requested an evaluation of Carroll Gardens and and will act as the sponsoring and supervisory organization for the process. The 4Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance has submitted a project proposal to LPC, requesting community assistance for Carroll Gardens historic district expansion.
So, now what? Where do I go from here?
Landmarking is one option; it protects the front of the buildings. It doesn't address the height, or depth of any additions or new construction - zoning does that.
Learn more about the options and join us in our community planning efforts! Work with us as we plan for the future of Carroll Gardens.
Finally, please review and consider signing the Protect Our Home/s in Carroll Gardens on-line petition, independently setup by the neigborhood organization, Coalition for Respectful Development (CORD).
Best,
Maria Pagano
President, CGNA
For authoritative information on Landmarking visit:
City of New York Land Marks Preservation Commission: www.nyc.gov/landmarks
New York State Historic Preservation Office: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/
National Trust for Historic Preservation: www.nationaltrust.org
Preservation League of New York State: www.preservenys.org
New York Land Marks Conservancy: www.nylandmarks.org/
Historic Districts Council: www.hdc.org
The Neighborhood Preservation Center: http://www.neighbrohoodpreservationcenter.org/index.html