De ja Vu on the UWS-New Appeal on 50 W. 66th, Possible New Landmark, and Fighting the Voids

LW! has been hard at work.  Read on for news about Yesterday, Today, Thursday, and the future of the Upper West Side!

De ja vu? When LW! filed a challenge with the Board of Standards and Appeals in December, the Department of Buildings took heed of some of our arguments and initiated a “Notice Intent to Revoke“.  To address this, the developer was forced to make design changes and file a new “ZD1”, which in turn started a new clock to appeal key aspects of the too-tall project.

Continuing our years-long advocacy and working with new lawyers, yesterday’s appeal builds on prior zoning arguments made by our zoning expert, George Janes, supplemented with additional case law and building code citations for a multi-prong approach.  LW! will explain this filing and the substance of the case at the upcoming West 64th-67th Streets Block Association meeting. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 29th at 6pm at the Mormon Manhattan New York Temple, 125 Columbus Avenue (at 65th St.)  to hear more details.

PRESERVATION TODAY: the LPC calendared 137 West 71st Street

De ja vu? While 137 West 71st Street has been landmark protected since 1990 as part of the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District, today’s calendaring (one of six LGBT sites) means that it could be designated an INDIVIDUAL LANDMARK–our district’s 62nd!  The former home of James Baldwin from 1965-1987, designation would recognize the existing 1961 H. Russell Kenyon designed altered facade as integral to the period of significance.

Learn more about this landmark via the LW! Building Database and the LPC report and attend the hearing to testify in support on Tuesday, June 4th at the Landmarks Preservation Commission, 1 Centre Street, 9th Floor North.  Time TBD, check back on www.landmarkwest.org for details.

PLANNING THURSDAY: the CITY and STATE address Mechanical Voids

De ja vu? While the Department of City Planning promised action on Mechanical voids by December 2018, their modified proposal finally went up for a vote by the Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises today; the Land Use Committee is expected to vote on it on Thursday, May 16th.

Coincident with this vote, State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal and State Senator Robert Jackson are holding a press conference to announce bills A5026A/S3820A — offering state-level solutions via the Multiple Dwelling Law aimed at addressing mechanical voids once and for all.  Please plan to attend (bring signs!) and show your support for these important amendments that will help protect our city!  READ LW! Statement in advance of the Thursday press rally on the steps of City Hall.

Join us Thursday, May 16th at 11am at City Hall/ City Hall Park.