The Design Commission reviews distinctive sidewalks for their aesthetic impact on the streetscape. Any sidewalk that deviates from that neighborhood's standard, which in most cases is Department of Transportation grey concrete with a 5' x 5' scoring pattern, but can include cobble or granite block in areas where the historic fabric remains intact, is considered distinctive. Designs for distinctive sidewalks in front of existing buildings are submitted by the Department of Transportation. Designs for distinctive sidewalks that are part of new construction projects are submitted by the Department of Buildings.

¹All photos must be clearly labeled on the back. Polaroids or color photocopies will not be accepted. If using a digital camera, photographs must be printed on photo-quality paper.

²Drawings must be submitted in the following formats:

1. Two complete sets of unmounted drawings, properly collated and stapled, must be submitted. All drawings must indicate scale. Plans must include a north arrow, and elevations must indicate façade orientation. Drawings should not exceed 36" as the longest dimension to comply with Department of Buildings requirements. Half-size drawings are preferable as long as they are legible. Any reduced drawings must include a graphic scale.
2. Critical drawings, including renderings, must be mounted on one (1) or more 30" x 40" boards for presentation (see Presentation Guidelines) and/or included in a PowerPoint presentation. All PowerPoint presentations must utilize .jpg images only that have been resized before being inserted in the presentation, so the completed presentation is limited to 30 MB. Additionally, PowerPoint presentations must be formatted for Windows XP or an earlier version with no automatic slide advances, and submitted on a CD and as duplicate print-outs at a legible size, properly collated and stapled.
   

In order to achieve a coherent and harmonious streetscape, the Design Commission encourages consistency in the character of the City's sidewalks. Consequently, the Commission generally supports the installation of the appropriate New York City standard grey concrete with simulated saw-cut joints in a 5' x 5' scoring pattern, as specified by the Department of Transportation, except in those areas where historic fabric, such as cobble or granite block, remains intact and can either be maintained or replicated.

Proposed sidewalk treatments that deviate from the standards may be considered under exceptional circumstances. This might include a condition in which the entire block is uniformly treated, and the design of the sidewalk is integral to the design of the building or open plaza space in front of which it is installed. Other exceptions may include the proposed use, in historic neighborhoods, of tinted concrete to simulate bluestone or granite.

The Commission strongly discourages proposals for the installation of logos, building numbers/addresses, and 'carpet treatments' in front of building entrances - or other, piecemeal treatments that visually disrupt the continuity and civic character of the streetscape.

Strategies and interventions that seek to improve and upgrade the City's streetscape and are encouraged by the Commission include:

• The installation of granite curbs (in place of steel-faced or concrete curbs);
  
  
• The planting of street trees generally - and specifically as an alternative to planters;
  
  
• The use of tree pits that are as large as possible given the specific site conditions, per the Department of Parks & Recreation’s Tree Planting Guidelines
  
  
• The use of amenity strips that can incorporate continuous, structural soil trenches and porous unit pavers - to enhance the life and health of street trees.

The Design Commission reviews designs for the installation or replacement of distinctive light fixtures, other than replacements in-kind, for their aesthetic impact on the streetscape, including light quality. Proposals for distinctive light fixture installations are submitted by the Department of Transportation.

1. Two copies of the Application Form signed by the Commissioner or designated agency representative of the Department of Transportation, including the name, address and telephone number of any entity responsible for the maintenance of the distinctive light fixtures, if relevant.
   
   
2. A minimum of eight (8) loose 8” x 10” color photographs of the site and surrounding area. These photographs must show the adjacent property lines and general character of the neighborhood.¹
   
   
3. Existing and proposed photometric studies.
   
   
4. A location plan (minimum scale: neighborhood and borough), indicating where the site is within the surrounding neighborhood and within the borough.²  The neighborhood plan must key all existing distinctive lighting installations in the surrounding neighborhood.
   
   
5. Existing and proposed site plans (minimum scale: 1” = 40’). The proposed site plan must also include any other streetscape elements (paving, trees, benches, etc.) that are proposed as part of the distinctive lighting proposal.²
   
   
6. Construction drawings at 90% completion.²
   
   For all projects that require a permit from the Department of Buildings, please note that all construction drawings must conform to the Department of Building’s requirements for its B-SCAN system (see B-SCAN Requirements).
   
   
7. A cut sheet of the proposed distinctive light fixture.
   
   
8. A complete list of materials, colors and/or finishes.
   
   
9. Written confirmation of community board review, as needed. (The agency is encouraged to submit the community board’s resolution.

Final Approval is conditioned upon commencement of work within two years of the final approval date and the submission of three (3) 8” x 10” color archival-quality photographs of the completed project for the Design Commission's archive of the City’s built environment.

¹All photos must be clearly labeled on the back. Polaroids or color photocopies will not be accepted. If using a digital camera, photographs must be printed on photo-quality paper.

²Drawings must be submitted in the following formats:

• Two complete sets of unmounted drawings, properly collated and stapled, must be submitted. All drawings must indicate scale. Plans must include a north arrow, and elevations must indicate façade orientation. Drawings should not exceed 36" as the longest dimension to comply with Department of Buildings requirements. Half-size drawings are preferable as long as they are legible. Any reduced drawings must include a graphic scale.
• Critical drawings, including renderings, must be mounted on one (1) or more 30" x 40" boards for presentation (see Presentation Guidelines) and/or included in a PowerPoint presentation. All PowerPoint presentations must utilize .jpg images only that have been resized before being inserted in the presentation, so the completed presentation is limited to 30 MB. Additionally, PowerPoint presentations must be formatted for Windows XP or an earlier version with no automatic slide advances, and submitted on a CD and as duplicate print-outs at a legible size, properly collated and stapled.

While Cemusa’s newsstand design has been approved by the Design Commission as a prototype for use Citywide, the Design Commission reviews the newsstand size and location for each proposed installation to determine the newsstand’s aesthetic impact on the specific site. Newsstands are submitted to the Design Commission by the Department of Consumer Affairs, but the Department of Transportation must approve the newsstand location prior to Design Commission review.

1. Two copies of the Application Form signed by the appropriate agency head or designated agency representative, including the name and address of the private entity proposing the newsstand. The application form should indicate the address of the building in front of which the newsstand will be installed.
   
   
2. A copy of the Department of Consumer Affairs Track Sheet indicating that the Department of Transportation approved the newsstand location and size.
   
   
3. Written confirmation of community board review of the newsstand application. (The agency is encouraged to submit the community board’s resolution.)
   
   
4. A minimum of eight (8) loose 8” x 10” color photographs of the site and surrounding area for the proposed newsstand taken during daylight hours. These photographs must show the general streetscape; views from across the street indicating the facades of the buildings in front of the proposed newsstand site; and views up and down the block to show the visual corridors.¹
   
   
5. A minimum of three (3) photomontages showing the proposed newsstand in the context of the existing site, including from across the street and from up and down the block.² 
   
   
6. A location plan (minimum scale: neighborhood and borough), indicating where the newsstand is within the surrounding neighborhood and within the borough.²
   
   
7. A proposed site plan (minimum scale: 1” = 40’) that extends at least one block beyond the project site in each direction, showing both sides of the street as well as all trees and existing street furniture/fixtures, including any existing newsstands.²
   
   
8. Detailed existing and proposed site plans (minimum scale: 1”= 5’). The plans must include all critical dimensions and indicate the location and nature of adjacent buildings, including details of setbacks from major entrances.²

Final Approval is conditioned upon commencement of work within two years of the final approval date and the submission of three (3) 8” x 10” color archival-quality photographs of the completed project for the Design Commission's archive of the City’s built environment.

¹All photos must be clearly labeled on the back. Polaroids or color photocopies will not be accepted. If using a digital camera, photographs must be printed on photo-quality paper.

²Drawings must be submitted in the following formats:

• Two complete sets of unmounted drawings, properly collated and stapled, must be submitted. All drawings must indicate scale. Plans must include a north arrow, and elevations must indicate façade orientation. Drawings should not exceed 36" as the longest dimension to comply with Department of Buildings requirements. Half-size drawings are preferable as long as they are legible. Any reduced drawings must include a graphic scale.
• Critical drawings, including renderings, must be mounted on one (1) or more 30" x 40" boards for presentation (see Presentation Guidelines) and/or included in a PowerPoint presentation. All PowerPoint presentations must utilize .jpg images only that have been resized before being inserted in the presentation, so the completed presentation is limited to 30 MB. Additionally, PowerPoint presentations must be formatted for Windows XP or an earlier version with no automatic slide advances, and submitted on a CD and as duplicate print-outs at a legible size, properly collated and stapled.