Many Flatbush residents called for the Landmarks Preservation Commission to expand the borders of two proposed landmark districts, noting their displeasure in the exclusion of many streets and homes.
The proposed districts include Beverley Square West, (a section of Argyle to Marlborough Roads) and Ditmas Park West (Westminster to Marlborough Roads). In Beverley Square West, the excluded blocks include a section of the south side of Beverley Road, Westminster Road, Stratford Road, Slocum Place, Matthews Court and Lewis Place. In Ditmas Park West, Stratford Road was excluded from LPC’s study of the blocks.
“The current proposed boundaries are like half a top coat,” said Mickey Revenaugh, a Westminster Road resident at a recent LPC hearing. “Unfinished, they leave half our community unprotected, out in the cold. We all suffer from that.”
While residents painted pictures of tree-lined streets and homes adorned with columns, pediments and ornate moldings, many appealed to the commission to include the adjacent blocks in its landmark review.
While reading a letter to the Prospect Park South Association from the LPC, Lindsay Lamb, an association board member and supporter of expanding the borders, said the commission's research staff "determined that the blocks that were requested for historic district expansion were generally more modest and less intact,” and some were altered when compared to the homes within the proposed borders.
Residents were unmoved by the reasoning, and continued to push for the expansion. They described the various communal activities that are unique to the community, from outdoor theater performances to art studio tours.
“These homes allow artists to teach their craft to the community's children,” said Westminster Road resident Alice Barrett. “This area is one cohesive community and it would be a travesty to bifurcate this neighborhood by leaving these remaining homes vulnerable.”
Preservation advocates, local nonprofits and elected officials were also among the supporters.
Council Member Rita Joseph testified via Zoom and said she wanted to ensure “a second look” at the homes that were excluded from LPC’s consideration.
“These peaceful enclaves boast a consistency of scale and styles that certainly recommends them for designation,” said Andrea Goldwyn, director of public policy at the New York Landmarks Conservancy. “While there have been some alterations or additions, even minor changes don’t enter the overall community.”
Robin Redmond, executive director of the Flatbush Development Corporation, made reference to a 2012 proposal that creates a uniform "quilt" of landmarked communities in Victorian Flatbush.
“Today, we are one step closer to completing that quilt,” she said.
The commission said it received testimony from 50 people in favor and one in opposition for expanding Beverley Square West, and 17 in favor with three opposed for expanding Ditmas Park West historic districts.
"There were some issues that were raised today and the commissioners have heard you, and we'll take it under consideration," said LPC Vice Chair Angie Master, although it wasn't specified what those "issues" were.
Before the body votes on the landmarking proposal, LPC’s research department creates a report about the properties under consideration, which gets mailed to property owners for review and feedback. The commissioners then use this report and the testimony provided as the basis for a decision. A date has not yet been announced for the vote.
