Preservationists fight local family’s Cobble Hill rowhouse extension

Cobble Hill preservationists are speaking out against a local family that is planning a backyard buildout and a six-foot-tall rooftop addition to its three-story rowhouse, the Brooklyn Paper reported, saying that the renovations could start a trend towards higher buildings in the historic neighborhood.

“It could cause a domino effect,” said Jeff Strabone, president of local history and preservation group, the Cobble Hill Association, who argues that backyard extensions encroach on the favorable light of the row houses. “We take a hard line on these issues. Otherwise it becomes the Wild West.”

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The proposed buildout would add three stories of space behind the home on Tompkins Place, the Brooklyn Paper said, and could not be seen from the street. The plans were approved by Community Board 6 last week, after it ruled that the changes were not significant enough to affect the character of the neighborhood. The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission will consider the proposal for final approval in coming weeks. [Brooklyn Paper]

 

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