Victory! LPC Reverses Itself; Will Extend Public Comment Period
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GVSHP is pleased to report that the Landmarks Preservation Commission has reversed itself, and will now extend the severely truncated period they had set up for the public to submit comments on pending landmarks applications as we had called for! This will greatly increase the ability of the public to participate in and impact the landmarks public review and approval process.
As GVSHP recently reported, earlier this month the LPC announced they would only accept written comments on applications being considered by the Commission until 1pm the Monday before, even though such applications are often not posted until after business hours on Friday, thus leaving the public only four business hours to find, review, formulate and submit comments upon applications. GVSHP and our fellow preservation organizations found this to be an unacceptable abridgement of the public’s ability to participate in the process, and wrote to the LPC Chair, urging her to expand this comment period.
City Councilmembers Corey Johnson and Rosie Mendez also sent strong letters to the LPC Chair urging her to make these changes. Dozens of GVSHP members also sent letters to the LPC Chair and the Mayor to call for changes.
In response, the LPC announced they will change this policy, extending the public comment period to 4pm the Monday before the Tuesday hearing, and (more importantly) ensuring that the application materials will be available online to the public by 5pm the Thursday before, as we urged.
Thanks to everyone who sent letters and helped make this happen. You helped get the LPC to listen to and address this very serious concern.
Next: 03/16/18
Previous: 04/12/17
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