After accusations of unnecessary delay, the Landmarks Preservation Commission said it responded Wednesday to an April 15 Freedom of Information Law request filed by State Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell (D-Morningside Heights) regarding the proposed establishment of a historic district in certain parts of Morningside Heights.
On Tuesday, O’Donnell sent a follow-up letter to the commission, noting that 14 days, 10 of which were business days, had passed since he filed his request—a period in excess of the five business days within which the LPC is legally required to respond to a FOIL request. The area in question is bounded by 110th Street on the south, 123rd Street on the north, Morningside Drive to the east and Riverside Park to the west.
According to Lisi de Bourbon, LPC director of communications, the commission received O’Donnell’s original request on April 15. De Bourbon also acknowledged receipt of “numerous letters in 2006 asking the commission to calendar the proposed historic district, and for updates on the status of its review.”
The commission informed O’Donnell in May 2006 that the historic district proposal was “under review and that preliminary research had begun,” de Bourbon said in an e-mail. She also noted that O’Donnell met with commission officials on April 10, and on two other occasions since 2004.
“In these meetings, we have said that we are interested in Morningside Heights, that a proposed district remains under review, and our staff has begun preliminary research,” de Bourbon said. “We know this is not the timeline that Assemblyman O’Donnell had hoped for.”
While the LPC’s approval is necessary if a historic district is to be established in Morningside Heights, the New York City Council could overturn the commission’s recommendation.
Lynette Velasco, spokeswoman for council member Inez Dickens (D-Morningside Heights), said previously that Dickens had not yet decided whether to support the proposal.
In an April 15 press release, O’Donnell reiterated his argument in favor of a Morningside Heights historic district.
“There is overwhelming public support for a historic district in Morningside Heights,” O’Donnell said in the release. “I remain perplexed why some proposals for designation are fast-tracked, while other equally deserving proposals remain stalled for more than a decade.”
But de Bourbon noted that “under Mayor [Michael] Bloomberg and Commissioner [Robert] Tierney, the Commission has demonstrated its commitment towards preserving the City’s historic and architectural character.”
“We remain very interested in Morningside Heights,” de Bourbon said, “and look forward to working with civic groups, elected officials, and the preservation community on this issue.”
maggie.astor@columbiaspectator.com