Monitoring, notifying the public about, and responding to applications for changes to landmarked properties in our neighborhood is one of our most important functions. This is especially important in neighborhoods with extensive landmark designations like the West Village. Every day we monitor 3,500 landmarked properties in our neighborhoods for such applications, review each one, and inform the public about them — something no other organization in the city does. Most applications are benign or even improvements. But some raise concerns.
 
A recent example is an application for both side and rear additions to one of the most unique houses in Greenwich Village, 65 Horatio Street. Built in 1845, it’s a rare Greenwich Village house that retains a side yard and bay window, as well as a wrap-around Greek Revival attic and cornice, making it one of the most special and distinctive buildings in the neighborhood, and an important part of what makes Greenwich Village Greenwich Village.
 
However, a new owner has applied to build out partly in the side yard, obscuring the historic bay window and side facade, as well as adding a rooftop addition. On Tuesday at the Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing, Village Preservation strongly opposed the plan, urging the Commissioners to reject it. They voted to defer a decision, asking the applicant to make changes to the plan, as they often do.
 
We will continue to closely monitor this application, as we do all landmarks applications in our neighborhood, and continue to notify the public about all such cases. You can review all local landmarks applications on our website here, sign up for notifications about particular addresses or blocks, and check your regular newsletters from us for a list of and link to all new applications in our neighborhoods.