LPC adds Beverly Square West and Ditmas Park West to calendar for historic-district consideration

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on June 17 voted to place two Brooklyn neighborhood proposals—Beverly Square West and Ditmas Park West—on its calendar for future public hearings. Commissioners moved and seconded separate calendar motions for each proposed historic district and approved both without recorded opposition.

Both proposals were presented by Michael Korotzas of the Research Department, who described Beverly Square West and Ditmas Park West as well-preserved collections of freestanding houses built between the mid-1890s and about 1910 in suburban Flatbush. Korotzas told commissioners that the research department’s surveys show the majority of houses in each proposed district retain high or good architectural integrity.

The commission’s calendar votes will allow staff to schedule public hearings at which residents and stakeholders can testify before the agency decides whether to designate the areas as New York City historic districts. Commissioners asked questions about front-yard treatments and fences and then voted to calendar each item: Commissioner Jefferson moved to calendar Beverly Square West, seconded by Commissioner Goldblum; the item was calendared. Commissioner Master moved to calendar Ditmas Park West, seconded by Commissioner Chiu; the item was calendared.

The research department recommended calendaring because the proposed boundaries contain the most intact concentrations of early suburban Flatbush development not already designated, and because many buildings retain characteristic stylistic details including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor and Shingle influences. The commission did not take final designation action at the meeting; calendaring starts the public review process and sets a hearing date for each proposal.

The commission will announce the hearing dates and next steps once staff completes the scheduling and public-notice requirements.