By Ed Konecnik
In its effort to obtain City Landmark status, the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners’ Association is again asking the homeowners to express their support for landmark designation. This request disingenuously implies that homeowners have input and can participate in the landmarking process. According to the law, landmark designation is not the subject of a vote by the community or homeowners and notification to homeowners is not required.
In a response to my concerns regarding landmark designation, the Law Department of New York City apprised me that “a formal application process does not exist. The commission considers eligible buildings and districts for designation in response to suggestions from many sources, including groups and individuals as well as the observations of commission members and staff. While the Landmarks Commission seeks and encourages community and property owners’ participation and support when considering proposed landmark designations, neither is a required condition for the designation of a landmark.”
Designation requires homeowners to apply for and receive permits for most work. Invoking landmark laws to resolve problems resulting from un-enforced building codes is neither the intent nor spirit of the landmark laws. The focus should be on improving, updating and enforcing zoning and building codes and not on limiting the rights of the homeowners and creating fertile ground for bureaucratic corruption. Regulating homeowners’ property rights may stifle their proclivity to enhance and enrich the “gracious sense of place” they created in the first place.
The character and “sense of place” the association cites that distinguishes our neighborhood consists of many elements. Among them are the number of local store front signs, ads, and posters that are indecipherable to many residents In the interest of “preserving our neighborhood,” perhaps BFHA should seek landmarking of the English language.
Ed Konecnik
Flushing
