HDC Response to Senator Onorato's Sunnyside Letter
March 5, 2007
Hon. George Onorato
New York State Senate, 12th District
28-11 Astoria Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11102
VIA Fax: (718) 726-2036
Dear Senator Onorato,
The Historic Districts Council was very dismayed to read your recent letter published in the Queens Gazette regarding the proposed designation of Sunnyside Gardens as New York City Historic District. In our role as the citywide advocate for New York’s historic neighborhoods, HDC has been working closely with residents of the Gardens since 2003 on this project and has co-hosted numerous public information sessions and meetings to discuss this proposal. It has been our experience that the great majority of residents whom we have met over the past three and a half years are in favor of the proposed historic district designation based on their fierce pride in the history and character of their neighborhood. This has been evidenced in the hundreds of letters and messages of support received by the Landmarks Commission as well as the petitions submitted to the LPC requesting landmark designation signed by thousands of people.
Many of these same people have been active in forwarding the landmarks application process; volunteering their time to learn about and educate their neighbors about the benefits and responsibilities of landmark designation, arranging public events and lectures celebrating the history of Sunnyside Gardens and its noted residents and donating their energy and funds to sponsor this communal effort. The combination of their efforts with the extensive out-reach of the Landmarks Preservation Commission have resulted in a remarkably open and transparent process for the agency’s consideration of the neighborhood as a potential historic district. This public deliberation has been ongoing for three years, as is evidenced by numerous articles in both the local press as well as The New York Times and the New York Daily News reporting on meetings and discussions.
That Sunnyside Gardens is an important neighborhood worth preserving for its cultural merit is inarguable. Its history as a community planned for working-class families is well known, and its rows of simple brick houses with their shared gardens along quiet, tree-lined streets have charmed generations. The debate that has arisen is how to protect this special piece of the city. Landmarking – designating Sunnyside Gardens a New York City Historic District – has been proposed as the answer. Sunnyside Garden’s importance was recognized in 1984 when it was designated a National and New York State historic district. This is primarily just a title however with some financial benefits for restoration projects, and no protection is extended to the buildings or their environment. Sunnyside Gardens has also been a city Special Planned Community Preservation District since 1974.
In your letter, you remark that “Landmarking Sunnyside Gardens would rescind [the special Planned Community Preservation District] zoning rules”. This is not correct, as the Landmarks Preservation Commission does not have the power to change zoning, only the City Planning Commission does. If the special zoning is to be changed, it would need to go through a full Uniform Land Use Review Process, during which the public would have several mandated opportunities to comment and influence any decision.
Furthermore, it can be conclusively shown that the special Planned Community Preservation District rules have not worked to preserve the character of the neighborhood. Recently, a home-owner was permitted to install front and back dormers on 46th Street without applying to the City Planning Commission or the Community Board first. When City Planning finally reviewed the project after it was begun, the agency ruled that since the FAR of the house was not increased, a special permit was not necessary. This decision should not be any surprise, as according to statistics received from the Community Board, only three permits have been applied for and issued since the inception of the special district in 1974. It would be a fallacy to proclaim that no alterations have occurred in the past 33 years, yet no permits have been issued or even applied for. The area’s character has suffered as a result – stucco has covered homes and front yards have been turned into concrete-covered parking spaces. Obviously, promises of better enforcement are completely inadequate and the current state of affairs neither protect the unique and special character of Sunnyside Gardens nor actually allow for any of the community input that alteration proposals under landmark provisions encourage and require.
There have been remarks from opponents that landmarking will destroy the social ideals of equality that created Sunnyside Gardens. Inequality and exclusion are not part of the preservation agenda. The New York City Landmarks Law states clearly that “the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of [buildings] and landscape features of special character or historical or aesthetic interest is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety and welfare of the people”. Forty years of urban experience has shown that landmark designation works to forward this worthwhile municipal goal. Also, there is no definitive link between preservation and gentrification. Neither are the costs of historically appropriate repair and maintenance prohibitive. Although there may be an additional expense up front, these costs are often offset by reduced maintenance costs in the long run as well as the improved property values that come from having good work done on your house. In the end, landmark rules do encourage that the buildings are kept their best, creating a better community for all.
Sunnyside Gardens was planned as a community, and much of the charm and character residents and visitors enjoy comes from the consistency of its architecture and open spaces. Landmarking this historic district is the strongest tool that can be used to ensure its preservation both now and in the future.
The Historic Districts Council would be happy to meet with you to further discuss the benefits and responsibilities of landmark designation at your convenience. In the meantime, we hope that you will reconsider your position on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Simeon Bankoff
Executive Director