UPPER EAST SIDES NEW HISTORY
By [Dan Rivoli ]and [Reid Spagna](http://nypress.com/?s=Reid+Spagna) Carnegie Hill Neighbors came one step closer to receiving historic status for several blocks on Park Avenue. At its June 16 meeting, Community Board 8 voted in favor of a resolution to support Carnegie Hill Neighbors" application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. If granted, buildings on Park Avenue from East 86th to 91st streets would receive this designation, protecting them from architectural changes. While this is only an advisory opinion, it might likely influence the commission"s final verdict. No date has been set to review the application. â??It is a recognition that this is worth doing, said Lo van der Valk, president of Carnegie Hill Neighbors. The landmark effort is the result of two years" work on the part of van der Valk and the Carnegie Hill Neighbors, which was formed in 1970 to protect the interests of the area, which spans from East 86th to 96th streets between Third and Fifth avenues, and along East 98th Street from Fifth to Park avenues. Carnegie Hill Neighbors" current push for historic status aims to connect previously unprotected stretches of Park Avenue. The strip of blocks from East 62nd to 79th streets was given historic status in 1980. Carnegie Hill Neighbors already obtained the designation for East 91st through 94th streets. â??Park Avenue is iconic for its world-class status, and therefore deserves this designation, van der Valk said. If the commission grants historic status to the blocks between 86th and 91st, the decision would help preserve Park Avenue"s historical architecture. A building owner would need approval from the commission before altering a building"s exterior, including its façade, windows and air-conditioning units; the goal is to maintain the continuity of Park Avenue"s architectural styles. As for Carnegie Hill residents, van der Valk believes that a possible historic status would create more stability. â??It"s good to know, van der Valk said, â??that when you move into an area and like its appearance, you know that it will not be changed. Meanwhile, the City Council voted June 9 to include 74 buildings along Lexington Avenue in the historic district. The expansion would cover two chunks of avenue, one between East 63rd and 65th streets, and another swath from East 71st to 76th streets. The vote came nearly a decade since the Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts completed its first survey on expanding the landmark area. â??Friends of the Upper East Side as well as people who live in the community and partners in preservation felt it contributed to a â??sense of place" and community in the Upper East Side, said executive director Tara Kelly. â??It"s got its own unique character.