Landmark permit issued for 85 SOUTH OXFORD STREET, BROOKLYN in FORT GREENE

Landmark building permit details

Location 85 SOUTH OXFORD STREET, BROOKLYN
Issue date October 1, 2007
(?) COFA COFA 08-3608

Certificates of Appropriateness (COFAs) are issued by the landmarks commission when it approves such things as building construction, demolition and visible additions to historic property. The certificates require a public hearing and the entire process can take several months.

Docket 07-7471
Historic district Fort Greene
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date September 18, 2013
Text
Pursuant to Section 25-307 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Landmarks Preservation
Commission, at the Public Meeting of September 18, 2007, following the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of
June 19, 2007, voted to approve a proposal to install a barrier-free access ramp and signage at the subject
premises as put forward in your application completed on May 24, 2007. This approval will expire on September
18, 2013.

The proposed work, as approved, consists of the installation of a barrier-free access ramp along the South Oxford
Street facade, the installation of a metal post and swing-sign in the areaway, the installation of a small metal
plaque above the door and the installation of a vitrine on the masonry wall adjacent to the entrance door. As
initially presented the proposal consisted of the installation of different railings on the ramp, the installation of
two banner signs on the facade, and the installation of a large sign over the door. The work is shown in drawings
labeled 1 through 6, dated June 15, 2007, and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of June 19,
2007; drawing labeled 4, dated August 10, 2007, and drawing labeled 3, dated September 18, 2007, all prepared
by Leonard Colchamiro R.A., submitted as components of the application and presented at the Public Meeting of
September 18, 2007.

In reviewing this proposal, the Commission notes that the designation report describes 85 South Oxford Street as
a Romanesque Revival style church designed by Grimshaw & Morrill built in 1861-62; and that in terms of its
style, scale, materials and details, the building contributes to the special architectural and historic character for
which the Fort Greene Historic District was designated.

With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the installation will not cause irreversible damage to the
masonry; that the proposed ramp at the secondary façade of the building will provide barrier-free access into the
building in an unobtrusive manner; that the proposed work will not require alterations to or the destruction of any
significant architectural features of this building; that the ramp and handrails have been detailed in a simple
manner which will not draw undue attention to themselves or call attention away from any significant
architectural features of the building; that the length and height of the proposed ramp are modest in relation to the
scale of the building; that the proposed stone steps, curbs and tinted concrete ramp will match the existing stone
steps and curbs, which remain in place on this building; that the small metal plaque mounted above the door will
serve to identify the tenants presence without detracting from the building's architectural character; and that the
installation of a metal post and swing-sign in the areaway is well proportioned to the scale of the building and the
streetscape. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the proposed work to be appropriate to the
building and the Fort Greene Historic District and voted to approve it with modifications.

The Commission required that the proposed sign over the door be removed from the proposal and that the
proposed free-standing vitrine be mounted on the masonry wall.
The Commission authorized the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness upon receipt, review and approval of
two signed and sealed sets of the Department of Buildings drawings for the approved work incorporating the
required change.

Subsequently, on September 24, 2007, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received final drawings labeled
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, dated Revised September 18, 2007, and drawings labeled BD-1, D-1, D-2, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5,
A-6, A-7, A-8, A-10, AV-1and AV-2, dated February 16, 2007, all prepared by Leonard Colchamiro R.A.
Accordingly, staff reviewed the drawings and noted that the proposed sign above the door has been removed from
the proposal; that the proposed free-standing vitrine sign will instead be mounted on the masonry wall and that
the proposed scope of work also includes interior alterations at the first and second floors. Staff finds that the
interior work will have no effect on significant architectural features of the building, that the changes required by
the Commission have been incorporated into the design, and that the proposal approved by the Commission has
been maintained. Based on this and the above findings, the drawing is marked approved with a perforated seal,
and Certificate of Appropriateness 08-3608 is being issued.

This permit is issued on the basis of the building and site conditions described in the application and disclosed
during the review process. By accepting this permit, the applicant agrees to notify the Commission if the actual
building or site conditions vary or if original or historic building fabric is discovered. The Commission reserves
the right to amend or revoke this permit, upon written notice to the applicant, in the event that the actual building
or site conditions are materially different from those described in the application or disclosed during the review
process.

All approved drawings are marked approved by the Commission with a perforated seal indicating the date of
approval. The work is limited to what is contained in the perforated documents. Other work or amendments to
this filing must be reviewed and approved separately. The applicant is hereby put on notice that performing or
maintaining any work not explicitly authorized by this permit may make the applicant liable for criminal and/or
civil penalties, including imprisonment and fines. This letter constitutes the permit; a copy must be prominently
displayed at the site while work is in progress. Please direct inquiries to Tenzing Chadotsang.




Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Lin Qing, J. Callahan Consulting

cc: Caroline Kane Levy, Deputy Director of Preservation, LPC.



PAGE 2
Issued: 10/1/07
DOCKET: 07-7471

Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.

Other landmark building permits nearby