Departments

Environmental Review

LPC’s Environmental Review department assists federal, state, and city agencies whose projects are subject to the environmental review process. The department offers guidance and information about impacts those projects may have on the city’s archaeological and architectural resources. Architectural resources generally include historically important buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts. Archaeological resources are physical remains that are found beneath the surface, such as burials, foundations, artifacts, wells and privies.

As part of the review process, the Environmental Review department combines findings from LPC’s Research and Archaeology departments into its final comments. Both departments identify properties, districts, or sites that may be eligible for landmark designation, are already landmarked, or are eligible for or listed on the state and national registers of historic places.

Not all projects require archaeology reviews. In cases where no in-ground construction or excavation is proposed or will result from the project, an archaeological review may not be necessary.

The Environmental Review department’s comments provide information regarding significant properties or sites and findings of potential impacts uncovered during the review process, if any. If the proposed project significantly impacts these properties or sites, the Environmental Review department works with the lead agency to mitigate or reduce the impact as much as possible.

LPC environmental review may sometimes involve projects affecting landmarked properties and require an LPC permit, or require a review only from state and federal agencies. For example, if a City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) project affects a landmarked property that’s under review for an LPC work permit, there is no need to complete the LPC permit process prior to completing the environmental review. The Environmental Review department’s comments will indicate that the LPC permit process is under way.

If a project involves only state and federal funding or permitting and does not involve any city permits or funding, the Environmental Review department must be contacted to determine whether the project affects an existing landmark or a property that’s eligible for landmark status.

If you’re a city, state, or federal agency, you can ask the Environmental Review department to determine a project’s compliance with city, state, and federal environmental standards.

Download the submission requirements to request an environmental review/pre-review

UPDATE: 2020 NYC Energy Conservation Code Exemptions

LPC no longer issues written determinations for New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) exemptions. In addition, the Preservation department no longer incorporates exemptions into LPC permits for LPC designated buildings. To apply for a NYCECC determination, please visit the NYC Department of Buildings How-to Guide: Supporting Documentation for more information.

Background

Please visit the 2020 Energy Conservation Code on the Department of Buildings website for more information. Some types of historic properties are exempt from NYCECC per the 2020 update to the Code that became effective on May 12, 2020.

Chapters R2 & C2 of the 2020 Energy Conservation Code define an eligible historic building as, "an existing building or structure that:

  1. is listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing building to a historic district; or
  2. is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing building to a historic district; or
  3. has been determined to be eligible for listing in either the New York State or national Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing building to a historic district, by the New York State commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; or
  4. has been determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing building to a historic district, by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior."

Buildings that are designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission as individual landmarks or located within New York City historic districts are not exempt from the NYCEEC unless they also meet at least one of the above criteria (i.e., listed or determined eligible for the State and/or National Registers).

Helpful links:

New York City
Department of Buildings Energy Conservation Code Webpage
Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination

New York State
Environmental Impact Assessment in New York State
New York State Historic Preservation Office Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)

Federal Government
Advisory Council for Historic Preservation
Links to the Past: National Park Service Cultural Resources
National Preservation Institute
National Register of Historic Places Database