PUBLIC HEARING TESTIMONY
LPC-25-06304
2 Hylan Boulevard – Alice Austen House – Individual Landmark
BINDING REPORT
A Gothic Revival style house originally built as a Dutch Colonial style house c. 1700, and enlarged and remodeled in the 19th century. Application is to construct an elevated barrierfree access walkway and stairs.
Architect: CTA Architects P.C.
HDC welcomes improvements to this site to increase its use and make it more accessible; however, we have some recommendations on how to make the changes blend better with the house and the surrounding landscape.
We believe that the interventions might read as stylistically disconnected from the house and could be more picturesque in their design. For example, the walkway could blend more seamlessly into the landscape with a thoughtful material choice that also prioritizes accessibility. The handrail for the ramp could either respond to the Gothic Revival elements on the house, or it could be simplified and modernized to be more visually unobtrusive.
Additionally, we would have liked to see more historic documentation in the presentation to better understand the original conditions of this house.
Action: Unanimously approved for a positive report.
LPC-25-12671
426 Clermont Avenue – Fort Greene Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An Italianate style rowhouse built c. 1860. Application is to construct a rear yard addition, modify an opening, and install HVAC equipment, screening, and railings.
Architect: TINMOUTH CHANG ARCHITECTS
HDC finds this proposed 3rd-floor extension to be inappropriate. This row of four houses from 424 Clermont Avenue to 430 Clermont Avenue is largely intact and should not be altered. The maximum height of an addition here should not exceed 2 stories.
Action: Unanimously approved.
LPC-25-11387
428 Clermont Avenue – Fort Greene Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An Italianate style rowhouse designed by John Doherty and built c.1860. Application is to enlarge and modify an existing rear yard addition.
Architect: James H. Baer
HDC finds the proposed 3rd-floor extension enlargement to be inappropriate. We find the existing extension to be appropriate, but find the proposed enlargement of it to be too disruptive to the donut.
Action: Unanimously approved with modification that applicant work with staff on the color.
LPC-25-11397
96 Bank Street – Greenwich Village Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
A Greek Revival style rowhouse built in 1839. Application is to alter and re-clad the rear yard addition.
Architect: DC Architectural Design, PLLC
HDC does not oppose the alteration and recladding of this rear yard addition, given its limited visibility; however, we do think that the rear façade should be completely stripped to the studs and a full brick veneer be added.
Additionally, the windows on the parlor floor appear to be different in proportion from the other floors, but we note that they will not be visible from the public thoroughfare.
Action: 7 in favor 1 opposed – Approved with modification that applicant use full brick veneer.
LPC-26-00814
392 West Broadway – SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An Italianate style store and loft building designed by John H. Whitenack and built in 1872-73. Application is to establish a Master Plan governing the future installation of painted wall signs.
HDC finds this proposal to be inappropriate. We think that the applicant should adhere to the rules and guidelines for a staff-level approval.
Action: Unanimously approved with modification that the applicant follow typical LPC rules for painted murals (size, border, and setback).
LPC-25-12746
208 West 10th Street – Greenwich Village Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An apartment house designed by Charles B. Meyers and built in 1911. Application is to modify the base of the building and install a new storefront.
HDC finds the proposed alteration from residential to storefront to be conceptually appropriate, but we do find the residential door being directly adjacent to the storefront door to be awkward. This would be more appropriate as a tripartite that allows for the proposed storefront to be more symmetrical to the existing storefront.
Action: No action.
