LPC legalizes parking stackers and attendant booth at Ladies' Mile lot; permits issued retroactively

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on March 11 approved a motion to legalize the installation of ten double-stack vehicular lifts and an attendant booth at a parking lot at 41 West 17th Street in the Ladies' Mile Historic District.

Architect Hany Dimitri, representing the parking-lot owner, told the commission the lot has been used for parking since 1939 and that the double-stack lifts were installed to improve circulation and prevent blocking of the sidewalk and curb lanes while attendants maneuver vehicles. "We're not increasing the number of parking spaces on the property," Dimitri said; the lifts permit stacking to move vehicles more efficiently within the same footprint.

Manhattan Community Board 5 recommended approval. Commissioners described the attendant booth and stackers as utilitarian features commonly found at surface parking lots in the district; one commissioner noted a similar approval in 2009 for another lot on West 17th Street. Commissioner Lehi read the staff motion recommending approval; the motion found the attendant booth and lifts did not damage significant historic features, that the booth’s small scale is not visually dominant, and that the lifts are not affixed to historic material and are utilitarian in design.

The roll call vote recorded six in favor and none opposed; the commission granted approval to legalize the existing equipment. Commissioners noted this type of review could be handled administratively in the future and suggested adding similar cases to the staff-approval list.

The legalization allows the lot operator to retain and operate the lifts and attendant booth but does not change the historic district designation or create new permanent building fabric on adjacent historic structures.