Landmarking Rules Needed
To The Editor:

There is a gentleman who regularly writes letters to the editor condemning landmarking. He feels that homeowners' rights are being taken away because when a building is landmarked, a property owner needs to obtain consent from the Landmarks Preservation Commission for any exterior changes to a designated structure.

Property owners have all sorts of limitations put on them already. They are called zoning laws. Would he advocate the dissolution of these laws so that anyone could do whatever they want in any neighborhood? Overdevelopment problems are bad enough as it is. We need a fair yet protective zoning code to maintain the character of our communities and to prevent the greedy and the unscrupulous from riding roughshod over us.

With regard to landmarking, it is very difficult for a building or neighborhood district to achieve this status in the city of New York. There has to be some historical, architectural and/or cultural aspect or aspects to the structure or district in order for the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate. Much research is done, hearings are held and the public has a chance to voice their views and concerns.

If a building or district is so fortunate and valuable as to be deemed a landmark, shouldn't that building or district be protected and preserved by having professional experts oversee and recommend exterior changes, rather than rely on a property owner who may not have the expertise to do so?

This situation reminds me of the folks who come on the Antiques Roadshow television program with a historic piece who have ruined the value and significance of the piece by altering it incorrectly. Oh, if they only had left the piece alone or had it restored properly by an expert, laments the appraiser!

It is a similar situation with a designated building or district. The Commission provides advice and guidance regarding exterior modifications so that landmarked structures and districts will maintain their beauty and integrity. This benefits everyone in the community and in the long run increases the value of designated properties.

I also support the City Planning Commission's zoning text changes regarding street trees and yards. These proposals seek to enhance all of our communities by increasing the greening of our neighborhoods so that we all benefit from an improved environment. These two proposals are in the process of being approved and may be tweaked to improve their effectiveness, using input from the public and our elected leaders.

We have all kinds of laws and regulations that we must follow in our everyday lives. Some people, like the gentleman who opposes landmarking, may argue that these rules stifle individual liberties. However, in our heavily populated and complex world, there must be order and procedures so that we can all have the liberty to lead productive and happy lives in a pleasant and stable environment. Henry Euler Bayside