The Pepsi-Cola sign pictured above was designated a NYC Landmark earlier this year.

Earlier this month, the City Council passed a measure that introduces deadlines for potential New York City landmarks on the public review process. These measures include, but are not limited to: a one-year deadline to decide on properties, as well as a two-year deadline to determine votes on historic districts. A number of other changes were introduced by the Council, and can be found here.

Some members of the Land Use committee, including Councilman Ben Kallos, objected to the deadlines, especially in regards to historic districts. Additionally, the bill was opposed by the HDC (Historic Districts Council). Executive Director Simeon Bankoff lamented that the HDC needs to have the opportunity to authorize a flexible timeline when it comes to the Landmarks Commission.

The new bill, titled Intro 775-A, states that once a potential landmark is placed on LPC's calendar, it must be designated within the time constraint of a year. There is room for an extension to be put in place, at a cap of one year. As for the Historic Districts, the time limit for designation is two years with no possibility for extension.