Sense From the City Council

Imagine a judge waiting years — decades — before deciding a criminal case. That outrage would be a clear, flagrant violation of the defendant’s rights.

That’s why the City Council is considering a bill to place a time limit on how long the Landmarks Preservation Commission can take in deciding whether to protect a building from demolition because of its historic or architectural significance.

It’s a longoverdue — and, coming from the council, unexpectedly sensible — exercise in fairness.

Predictably, the preservationists are fighting the bill tooth and nail.

The commission has had 95 different sites under consideration for more than five years — decades, in some cases — without making a final decision.

That openended process leaves the property’s owner in legal limbo, unable to develop the building and unlikely to find a buyer.

Under Brooklyn Democrat David Greenfield’s bill, the commission would have to hold a public hearing within six months and make a final determination in one year. (It could take twice as long to consider the creation of a historic district.)

If the commission fails to decide, it can’t reconsider the structure for landmark status for at least five years.

Preservationists say that’s too short a time limit. But the clock wouldn’t even start ticking until a proposed designation lands on the City Council calendar — after the commission has done its openended review.

We believe in a realistic balance between historic preservation and new development — both are critical to preserving New York’s unique character.

But as Peg Breen, president of the Landmarks Conservancy, rightly notes: “Timelines provide predictability and deadlines help get things done.”