Current Work The Preservancy monitors local development to ensure full compliance with zoning and historic preservation regulations. Riverdale's bucolic setting has been crafted through the years by local residents who engage neighbors, organizations and city agencies to identify the kind of community they want and the tools they need to achieve it. Read the story of Riverdale's Roots in our Winter 2003 Newsletter.
Riverdale grows and lives within guidelines of the Department of City Planning and the Landmarks Preservation Commission: Local land use plan (LINK to blog 197a) Zoning (LINK TO BLOG) Special Natural Area District (LINK) Riverdale Historic District (LINK) Fieldston Historic District (LINK)
Several ongoing projects in Riverdale threaten open space, old growth trees and steep slopes. In comments to the Community Board 8 Land Use Committee on January 12, 2015, the Preservancy asks
"... what is the value of a SNAD if a property can be stripped of its glorious trees in such a manner? ...what is the role of the regulatory bodies if this occurred in the SNAD without proper oversight and with minimal opportunity for community review and input? The Preservancy believes it is time to review the SNAD regulations and modify and strengthen them where appropriate. To this end, the Preservancy asks that the Committee undertake a thorough review of these regulations, and offers to assist the Committee with this review."