| Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation

Stop the Landmarks Rules Changes That Cut the Public Out of the Process and Eliminate Transparency!

Recipients

Landmarks Preservation Commission
Mayor Bill de Blasio

Message

Stop the Landmarks Rules Changes That Cut the Public Out of the Process and Eliminate Transparency!

Dear [Decision Maker],

I strongly oppose the proposed LPC rules changes that cut the public out of the process and eliminate transparency.

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It would do the public, the process, and preservation great harm to implement these rule changes that would make a huge number of landmarks applications no longer subject to public hearings. Instead, they would be decided out of public view, behind closed doors, with "staff level" approvals.

This is an inherently anti-transparency, anti-good government, anti-public participation move. There is absolutely no justification for moving a huge number of decisions regarding landmarked properties from an open process, where the public can be aware of them and provide valuable input, to a closed process where the public is unaware that the applications are even being considered, much less able to offer information, opinion, or context.

Public review of landmarks applications allows a maximal amount of light to shine on the process, and affords interested parties a way of providing information or perspective on proposed changes. The Commission may not always agree with the input it receives, but at least with this public process there can be no denying that such input is received and considered.  Once these applications move to secret "staff level" approvals, this is no longer possible.

Too often we see inaccurate or incomplete information provided with applications as the basis upon which they are judged.  Through the public process, such mistakes or failings can be caught, addressed, or corrected. Once these applications are reviewed behind closed doors only, that opportunity is gone.

Do not move the landmarking process backwards or cut the public out of the process.  Reject the proposed rules changes.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

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