Landmark permit issued for 179 WASHINGTON PARK, BROOKLYN in Fort Greene
Landmark building permit details
| Location | 179 WASHINGTON PARK, BROOKLYN |
|---|---|
| Issue date | February 25, 2008 |
| (?) COFA | COFA 08-6981 |
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 | 08-4767 |
| Historic district | Fort Greene |
| Landmark name | N/A |
| Expiration date | November 27, 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 November 27, 2007, following the Public Hearing of the same date, voted to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work at the subject premises, as put forward in your application completed November 1, 2007, and as you were informed in Status Update Letter 08-5243 (LPC 07-7873), issued November 30, 2007. The proposal, as approved, consists of legalizing the construction of a one-story rooftop addition, featuring a pitched roof, at an existing one-story rear extension without a Landmarks Preservation Commission permit; painting the addition to blend with the surrounding context; and installing a railing at an existing two-story rear extension, as shown on three presentation boards, consisting of drawings and photographs, all submitted by Knowles Architects, PD, and presented at the Public Hearing and Public Meeting. As initially presented, the proposal was to legalize the addition with its original brown finish. In reviewing this proposal, the Commission notes that the Fort Greene Historic District Designation Report describes 179 Washington Park (aka 8 Willoughby Avenue) as a French Second Empire rowhouse, built circa 1866 by Joseph H. Townsend; and that the building's style, scale, materials and details are among the features that contribute to the special architectural and historic character of the historic district. The Commission also notes that Warning Letters 99-0132 and 99-0133 were issued September 3, 1998 for "facade work, including repointing, at Willoughby Avenue facade without permit(s)" and the "installation of aluminum windows without permit(s)" respectively; that Warning Letter 07-0577 was issued on June 27, 2007 for the "construction of addition without permit(s);" and that Permit for Minor Work 08-5925 (LPC 08-4278) was issued December 24, 2007 for the repointing brickwork at the rear addition to address the conditions cited in Warning Letter 99-0132, as well as to approve the replacement of roof tiles and painting iron-work. With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that no significant features of the building have been altered, concealed or eliminated by the construction of the addition; that the addition is small in scale, simple in design and only visible from limited vantage points at public thoroughfares in the context of previously constructed additions; that the addition does not disrupt a unified composition of façade elements or a distinctive building silhouette; and that the railing will be simple in design and typical in placement, finish and scale, thereby remaining a discreet presence within the streetscape. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the work to be appropriate to the building and the historic district and voted to approve the application, with the stipulation that the addition be repainted a red brick color that better blends with the surrounding context and helps the addition recede from view. The Commission authorized the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness upon receipt, review and approval of two sets of signed and sealed Department of Building filing drawings showing the approved design and incorporating the required change. Subsequently, on December 19, 2007, January 10, 2008 and February 25, 2008, the Commission received a paint sample (Benjamin Moore Classic Colors 035 Baked Clay) for painting the addition; current condition photographs; written specifications; drawings A1, A2, and A3, dated March 15, 2007; drawings A2.1, A2.2, A3.1, and A4, dated June 22, 2007; and drawings A5, A6 and A7, dated revised November 28, 2007 and prepared by Mary Dupree Knowles, RA. Accordingly, staff reviewed these materials and noted that they include additional work, consisting of removing a rooftop skylight and installing decking at the roof of the rear extension; and interior alterations. The exterior work has already been completed. With regard to this work, staff found that the exterior work has not eliminated, altered or concealed any significant features of the building; that the work is not visible from any public thoroughfare; and that the work has not diminished the special architectural and historic character of the Fort Greene Historic District. Additionally, staff found that the design approved by the Commission has been maintained and the change required by the Commission has been included. Based on these and the above findings, the drawings have been marked approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness 08-6981 is being issued. Please note that Warning Letters 99-0132 and 99-0133 remain in force and are not addressed by this permit; and that Warning Letter 07-0577 will remain in effect until the work approved under this permit has been completed and inspected for compliance. NOTE THAT THIS PERMIT CONTAINS A COMPLIANCE DATE OF AUGUST 25, 2008. If the painting work is not completed by this date or if the other outstanding Warning Letters are not promptly addressed, Notices of Violation (NOV) originating from the Environmental Control Board may be issued in accordance with Title 63 of the Rules of the City of New York, Section 7-02 (c). Once the painting work has been completed, promptly submit a written request for a Notice of Compliance from the building owner, along with a photograph documenting the finished work, to the Commission. 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 Bernadette Artus. PAGE 2 Issued: 2/25/08 DOCKET: 08-4767 Robert B. Tierney Chair PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO: Phillip O'Reilly, Knowles Architects, PC cc: Caroline Kane Levy, Deputy Director of Preservation/LPC; Diane Simonson, Compliance Officer/LPC PAGE 3 Issued: 2/25/08 DOCKET: 08-4767 |
Added to EveryBlock on March 28, 2008.