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Neighbors urge denial of large rear addition at 133 E. 95th; commission approves reduced plan with conditions
Summary
After extensive public opposition citing loss of the block's central 'donut' green space, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a modified rear-yard addition at 133 East 95th Street with conditions: limit to two floors, depth no further than 131 East 95th Street, and applicant to explore alternative guardrail materials.
Neighbors and civic groups delivered an extended, often emotional, public record opposing a proposed rear-yard addition at 133 East 95th Street, saying the project would erode the block’s intact "donut" of shared green space, reduce light and privacy, and set a damaging precedent. The commission voted 8–0 to approve a modified plan that limits the addition to two floors, matches the depth of the nearby approved addition at 131 East 95th Street, and requires the applicant to work with staff on guardrail materials.
Multiple in‑person speakers urged denial. Julia Bradford, who lives across the street, told the commission: "Please reject this proposal for 133, which pushes the envelope of development far beyond the minimal rear yard expansions done on our block so far." Christina Clifford, a directly adjacent neighbor, cited specific scale figures: with the proposed extension the house would increase its square footage by another 24%, and she argued the property would become "a whopping 64% larger" than some nearby homes.
Applicant Mark Barak and his clients said they reduced the addition after meetings with neighbors and staff and framed the work as necessary for a three‑generation family that needs an elevator to accommodate aging parents. Barak said the team "reduced the size of this addition by 0.5" and later stated during rebuttal that "the tree will be saved." Commissioners expressed concern about precedent and scale, with several urging the applicant to limit the depth and the number of new stories; the final motion required the addition to extend no higher than two floors, to align the depth with 131 East 95th Street, and to explore alternative, less reflective guardrail materials.
The vote authorized LPC-26-03782 with modifications and instructed the applicant to continue working with staff on details. The project record will reflect the public opposition, the applicant's concessions, and the commission's conditions intended to preserve the central green space character of the block.
