After several years of diligent outreach to homeowners in the North Slope and the larger Park Slope community and after intensive advocacy with our elected officials and the staff of the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), a significant milestone was achieved at the LPC’s October 29th public hearing. The Civic Council’s efforts were rewarded by a great majority of support at the hearing: 15 individuals testified for the expansion and only two spoke out against the inclusion of specific buildings but supported the overall expansion. The Civic Council delivered 59 support letters collected during our door-to-door campaign. Many more support letters were sent directly to the LPC.
Also speaking in favor of the North Slope Extension were Council Member Stephen Levin and representatives of Council Member Brad Lander, Assembly Member Joan Millman, and Borough President Marty Markowitz. Their unflagging support has made it possible for the Civic Council’s expansion efforts to reach this important stage. The LPC will now move forward with drafting a designation report and the necessary communication with homeowners to verify an exterior description of their homes. The Historic District Committee will closely monitor the LPC’s timeframe on these actions with the expectation that the LPC will vote to designate the extension in 2014.
In the coming weeks, PSCC’s Historic District Committee will begin work on the next expansion phase, which we hope will encompass 500-600 buildings in the Center Slope east of 6th Avenue and south of Union Street. As in the past, the Civic Council will research Department of Buildings files to assist the LPC with its documentation requirements, and this coming year, will resume outreach to homeowners in the proposed extension area. To become involved as a volunteer in this campaign to preserve Park Slope, email us at historic.district@parkslopecivicouncil.org