A Letter to the Troy Planning Commission in Regards to the Proposed Kings Landing II

The letter below regards the proposed Kings Landing II in Troy. The League urged the Planning Commission to declare that the proposed project will adversely effect the National Register-eligible historic district and to reject the developer's initial Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) for a fuller Environmental Impact Statement. Happily, the Troy Planning Commission supported the neighborhood and Preservation League's position and rejected the EAF at their meeting on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Click here for a PDF of the League’s letter.

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March 25, 2021

Honorable Dierdre Rudolph, P.E., Chair
Board Members of the Troy Planning Commission
433 River Street
Troy, NY 12180
Re: Kings Landing Proposal

Dear Ms. Rudolph,

I write on behalf of the Preservation League of New York State regarding the proposed King’s Landing II Apartments, the 5 story, 62-unit building proposed by the BDC group at Federal Street and Fifth Avenue in Troy, case # PC 2020-0011. The Preservation League is New York’s statewide historic preservation nonprofit, serving each of New York’s 62 counties, supporting our local advocates and effective preservation policies.

In particular, we wish to call the Planning Commission’s attention to the project’s proposed demolition of four National Register-eligible historic buildings. The NYS Historic Preservation Office declared a National Register-eligible historic district along 5th Avenue from Federal to Jacob Streets. At that time, they also noted the adverse effect this building would pose on the entire block of historic buildings.

The Planning Commission must issue a positive declaration of adverse effect as part of its State Environmental Quality Review Act responsibility. We ask the Troy Planning Commission to compel the developer to investigate alternatives to their current proposal. These alternatives should include the potential to rehabilitate and adapt the existing historic buildings for the new use and alternative siting for any new construction.

Thank you for your consideration and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Jay DiLorenzo
President