Image Credit: LPC
The decision to hold virtual hearings and meetings is in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. On April 21, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will begin holding virtual public hearings and meetings. Landmarks will be holding its hearings and meetings through Zoom, a video-conferencing application. Public hearings and meetings will also be live-streamed for the public on YouTube.
Applicants will be able to present their projects to Landmarks at the hearings and meetings through Zoom. The Zoom application allows users to share screens with one another during a video conference session. Any members of the public who want to testify must sign up electronically by 5:00 P.M. on the Monday before the public hearing. Members of the public will testify through Zoom or calling in from the phone. Landmarks will also accept written testimony through email at testimony@lpc.nyc.gov.
Landmarks suggests that both applicants and those who want to testify should follow the proceedings on the YouTube livestream. The agency stated that the items will generally be called in the order they are listed in on the public hearing agenda; however, Landmarks can change the order of the items when necessary.
The hearings will be live-streamed at 9:30 A.M. Those who need accommodations to access or participate in the hearings can contact Landmarks Community and Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator, Rich Stein at richstein@lpc.nyc.gov or (646) 248-0220.
The items on the April 21st public hearing agenda will be items that were originally scheduled for the March 17th public hearing.
Landmarks’ decision to hold virtual public hearings and meetings is part of the agency’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Landmarks has been adjusting its processes and procedures to be able to continue its work throughout the pandemic. Since March 17, 2020, the agency has been accepting electronic filings of all permit applications and has been issuing permits electronically.
“While we will be using a new platform for our hearings, we will ensure our hearings are fair, transparent and accessible to the public,” said Landmarks Chair Sarah Carroll.
Click here for the Zoom meeting ID, Zoom meeting password, and dial-in information for the public hearings and meetings.
By: May Vutrapongvatana (May is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2019.)