Landmark permit issued for 12 SIDNEY PLACE, BROOKLYN in BROOKLYN HEIGHTS

Landmark building permit details

Location 12 SIDNEY PLACE, BROOKLYN
Issue date May 8, 2007
COFA COFA 07-8934
Docket 07-5660
Historic district Brooklyn Heights
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date May 8, 2013
Text ISSUED TO:
Laurie Weltz
12 Sidney Place
Brooklyn, NY 11201



Pursuant to Section 25-307 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Landmarks Preservation
Commission, at the Public Meeting of May 8, 2007 following the Public Meeting and Public Hearing of April 24,
2007, voted to approve the construction of a rear yard addition at the subject premises, as put forward in your
application completed May 14, 2007. This approval will expire May 8, 2013.


The proposed work, as approved, consists of removing two (2) non-historic rear yard additions; and constructing
a four-story rear yard (16-feet deep) masonry addition, with one-over-one, double-hung wood windows and
doors, with a painted finish; a setback terrace with a painted metal railing at the first floor; a screened-in terrace at
the third floor; and a rooftop terrace with a painted metal railing at the fourth floor (roof of addition); removing
three (3) one-over-one, double-hung windows, and installing three (3) single-pane wood casement windows
within the existing openings at the fourth floor; exterior work at the Sidney Place elevation, including the
removal of ten (10) one-over-one, double-hung wood windows, and installing eight (8) six-over-six, double-hung
wood windows and extending the parlor floor windows and installing two (2) six-over-nine, double-hung wood
windows all with a white painted finish; restoring the original main entrance to the house located at the first floor
over the basement entrance on the primary façade, including removing the existing non-historic plywood panel
and door; installing a new transom window and Greek Revival-style six-panel door; and restoring the Greek
Revival-style door surround, including the pedimented lintel, two (2) pilasters, and entablature; excavating the
rear yard a depth of 21-feet to accommodate a terrace area; as shown in the presentation boards, showing existing
condition photographs, existing and proposed elevations, sections, floor plans of the proposed rear yard addition,
and a 3D rendering, labeled A0.00, A0.01, A0.02, A0.03, A1.01, A1.02, A1.03, A3.01, A3.02, A3.03, A3.04,
A3.05, A3.06, A4.01, A4.02, A5.01, and A5.02, dated March 28, 2007; and, submitted as components of the
application, and presented at the Public Meeting and Public Hearing. The proposal, as initially presented to the
Commission, featured one-over-one, double-hung wood windows; and installing a flat lintel over the door
surround at the parlor floor.


In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the Brooklyn Heights Historic District designation report
describes 12 Sidney Place as a Greek Revival style rowhouse built in 1845; and that in terms of its style, scale,
materials, and details, it contributes to the special architectural and historic character of the Brooklyn Heights
Historic District. This permit is being issued in conjunction with Certificate of No Effect 07-8983 (LPC 07-8454)
issued June 1, 2007 approving interior alterations, façade restoration, and rooftop HVAC.


With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that many houses on this block have tall parlor floor
windows, and that lengthening the parlor floor windows will result in proportions that are in keeping with the
Greek Revival style of the building, and will help the building relate to the adjacent Greek Revival style houses
on the street; that the construction of the rear addition and removing the modern windows will not eliminate any
significant features from the building; that the proposed single-pane windows at the top floor will fit within the
existing openings, and will relate to the proportions of the fenestration on this and other buildings within the
block; that the proposed windows, rear yard addition, and rooftop skylight will not be visible from a public
thoroughfare; that the depth of the proposed rear yard addition will be consistent with other additions in the block
and therefore will retain the scale and character of this rowhouse and will not overwhelm or detract from the
adjacent buildings; and that the proposed addition will project less than the existing rear yard extension and
therefore, will increase the central greenspace. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the
proposed work to be appropriate and voted to approve it.


However, in voting to grant this approval, the Commission made its determination subject to the condition that
the door surround be restored and that the front façade windows be replaced with six-over-six, double-hung
windows and six-over-nine, double-hung windows, and that two complete sets of signed and sealed Department
of Buildings filing drawings be submitted prior to issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness for review and
approval by the staff of the Commission.


Subsequently, on May 10, 2007, the staff received drawings labeled A0.00, A0.01, A0.02, A0.03, A1.01, A1.02,
A1.03, A3.01, A3.02, A3.03, A3.04, A3.05, A3.06, A4.01, A4.02, A5.01, and A5.02, dated March 28, 2007,
prepared by Steven Harris, R.A. Accordingly the staff reviewed these drawings and finds that changes requested
by the Commission have been incorporated into the proposal; and that the proposal approved by the Commission
has been maintained. Based on this and the above findings these drawings have been marked approved by the
LPC with a perforated seal and this Certificate of Appropriateness 07-8934 (LPC 07-5660) 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 Lisbeth Schwab.




PAGE 2
Issued: 5/8/07
DOCKET: 07-5660
Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Devin O'Neill, Steven Harris Architects

cc: Jared Knowles, Deputy Director of Preservation




PAGE 3
Issued: 5/8/07
DOCKET: 07-5660

Added to EveryBlock on January 16, 2008.

Other landmark building permits nearby