Guidelines by Project Type

The Public Design Commission is supportive of the use of artificial turf on sports fields and large multipurpose fields provided that:

• the installation maximizes stormwater capture and detention;
• 3 1/2" to 4" caliper shade trees are planted around the perimeter of the field;
• misting stations are provided at sports fields;
• infill, where used, is specified in a light color; and
• the artificial turf is recycled at the end of its useful life.

In general, the Commission discourages the use of artificial turf when it is used as a default in an over-programmed site that does not allow for adequate space or proper siting of viable natural turf.

In order to achieve a coherent streetscape, the Public Design Commission supports a unified approach to street furniture, including light fixtures. Consequently, the Commission encourages the installation of fixtures that are sympathetic to the aesthetic and historic character of specific neighborhoods, both in terms of architectural style and scale. The Commission discourages the installation of historic poles, such as the Bishop's Crook, in neighborhoods that are characterized by contemporary architecture.

The Commission also supports the consistent use of light fixtures throughout entire neighborhoods, communities, or districts to achieve maximum cohesion and visual impact. The Commission encourages applicants to develop comprehensive master plans that address these areas holistically and avoid piecemeal proposals. Master plans may be implemented in multiple phases, if sufficient funds are not available to undertake an entire area at one time.

Before selecting light fixtures, applicants must consult the Department of Transportation and its Street Lighting Catalogue to determine which fixtures meet mandatory light levels on specific streets, so that a minimum number of poles can be maintained. The Commission strongly discourages proposals that require the installation of more light poles than are currently installed, as they increase visual clutter and detract from a unified streetscape.

Except in those areas where historic materials, such as cobblestone, bluestone, or granite slabs, remain and can be maintained or replicated, the Public Design Commission supports the use of standard grey concrete with simulated saw-cut joints in a 5 x 5 scoring pattern as specified by the Department of Transportation. In historic neighborhoods, the Commission supports concrete tinted to approximate bluestone or granite.

As city sidewalks are public space, the Commission strongly discourages the installation of logos, building numbers, building addresses, 'carpet treatments' at building entrances, or other sidewalk treatments that visually disrupt the continuity and public character of the streetscape. Non-standard sidewalk treatments may be considered in conditions where the entire block is uniformly treated or the sidewalk design is integral to the design of adjacent open plaza space.

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

• planting street trees, and specifically as an alternative to planters;
• using tree pits that are as large as possible, given the specific site conditions, per the Department of Parks & Recreation's Tree Planting Guidelines;
• using amenity strips that incorporate continuous, structural soil trenches and permeable unit pavers to enhance the life and health of street trees;
• installing granite curbs instead of steel-faced or concrete curbs; and
• using pre-cast concrete detectable warning pavers, which are more durable than plastic.

The Public Design Commission supports the installation of monuments or memorials to commemorate people, places, and events significant to New York City's history. The PDC discourages monuments/memorials for people, places, and events that have been recognized as significant for a period of less than 20 years, unless they are of exceptional importance. Monuments to living persons will not be considered. A professional historian with expertise on the subject must provide a written statement establishing the significance of each subject and thoroughly vet any proposed text and images.

Proposals will also be evaluated on the following:

• For an historical event, the monument/memorial should be located at or near the scene of the event or in a place as closely or logically related to the event as possible.
• For a person, the monument/memorial should be located at or near the scene of an event with which the person is identified or in a place closely identified with that person.
• For a monument/memorial to multiple persons, a single location should be selected at or near the scene of an important event with which they are jointly identified or in a place with which they are jointly identified.
• For a monument to a place, the site should:
  1. be associated with important historic events or activities, or with the lives of important persons;
  2. include buildings, structures, or monuments, whether existing or vanished, of special or distinctive design, construction or character, or have otherwise made an important contribution to the City's cultural, social, economic, or political history;
  3. sustain or nurture community traditions and identity; and/or
  4. include notable archaeological sites or landscape features
• Monuments/memorials should be oriented to ensure legibility and minimize any contribution to pedestrian congestion.

The approved street furniture franchise newsstand is available in multiple lengths and widths to accommodate varying site conditions. To maintain appropriate proportions, the Public Design Commission generally recommends the following dimensions:

• 4' x 8', 4' x 10';
• 5' x 10', 5' x 12' (although 8' L is acceptable when site conditions dictate);
• 6' x 12' (although 10' L is acceptable when site conditions dictate).

When selecting newsstand locations, applicants are encouraged to consider the impact of the newsstand dimensions on the visual corridor of the overall streetscape. The Commission supports the use of:

• 6' W newsstand on sidewalks greater than or equal to 25' W;
• 5' W newsstands on sidewalks greater than or equal to 19' W;
• 4' W newsstands on sidewalks less than 19' W.

In general, the recommended dimensions above will result in a newsstand that occupies no more than 25 percent of the width of the sidewalk. However, each site is unique and therefore newsstand locations are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Commission strongly discourages locations that:

• contribute to visual clutter;
• create a street wall at the curb;
• block views of artwork or landmarked structures;
• block sightlines to major parks;
• block sightlines through an arcade;
• block open views of public plazas;
• block sightlines of major thoroughfares; or
• result in three or more newsstands at an intersection.

The Commission does not generally reconsider previously rejected locations unless the applicant illustrates that the site conditions that the Commission considered in making its initial determination have changed.

The Public Design Commission encourages lightness, simplicity, and transparency in the design of pedestrian bridges. When multiple pedestrian bridges cross a roadway, the Commission generally supports consistency in design. These recommendations are not intended to discourage bolder design statements or the use of innovative materials when appropriate.

The Commission supports limiting the use of protective 8' fencing to those bridges where there is clear potential for vandalism and fencing is therefore required by code and recommended by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials guidelines. If it is unclear whether 8' fencing is needed, the Commission encourages bridge designs that include the ability to add fencing at a later date, if it becomes necessary.

Strategies that seek to improve pedestrian bridge design encouraged by the Commission include:

• minimizing the visual impact of all railings, including handrails and guardrails, by using minimum dimensions that meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements;
• utilizing materials for handrails and other design details that are sympathetic to the overall bridge design;
• using the minimum number of structural supports possible; and
• minimizing the dimensions of the structural supports as much as possible.

Strategies that minimize the visual impact of the 8' protective fencing encouraged by the Commission include:

• using consistent fence details throughout, particularly at the connection between the bridge and the ramps;
• maximizing the size of the fence opening, preferably to 2" wherever possible (when a smaller opening or solid panel is required, such as for fencing over an electric rail line, written documentation of the requirement should be submitted); and
• minimizing the framing structure.

The Public Design Commission supports the strategic installation of markers to commemorate people, places, and events significant to New York City's history and unique identity. The Commission discourages markers for people, places, and events that have been recognized as significant for a period of less than 30 years, unless they are of exceptional importance. The Commission encourages applicants to follow the National Register Criteria for Evaluation as a framework for evaluating significance.

The Commission strongly recommends that a professional historian with the appropriate expertise establish the significance of each subject and thoroughly vet the text and any images. If markers currently exist in the vicinity, the historian should explain why additional ones are needed, so that extraneous markers do not diminish the impact by creating visual clutter.

Place markers should be located as close as possible to the actual sites recognized and oriented to ensure legibility and minimize any contribution to pedestrian congestion.

Proposals for place markers should identify places of significance that:

• are associated with important historic events or activities, or with the lives of important persons;
• are sites of buildings, structures, or monuments, whether existing or vanished, of special or distinctive design, construction or character, or have otherwise made an important contribution to the City's cultural, social, economic, or political history; or that sustain or nurture community traditions and identity;
• are notable archaeological sites; or are landscape features or other sites that capture distinctively the special identity and character of New York.

Proposals for commemorative markers should also consider the following:

• For an historical event, a single focal point is preferable, and the marker(s) should be located at or near the scene of the event, in a place as closely or logically related to the event as possible, or in a suitable public space.
• For an outstanding person, a single marker should be located at or near the scene of the event with which the person is identified, in a place closely identified with that person, or in a suitable public space.
• For a joint commemoration of multiple persons or their conduct, a single group marker should be located at or near the scene of an important event with which they are jointly identified, in a place with which they are jointly identified, or in a suitable public space. If a subset of such persons is identified with a particular borough, a second marker may be considered for a suitable public space in that borough.
• Commemoration of circumstances only indirectly related to an important historical event, as distinguished from the event itself, is discouraged.

The Public Design Commission may consider aboveground planters when in-ground tree planting is not possible due to subsurface conditions or historic granite slab sidewalks. As with other unique street design elements, a maintenance plan is required.

The Commission encourages the use of planters that are:

• aesthetically pleasing and contextually appropriate;
• made of durable materials that can withstand the elements;
• appropriate in scale to the site; and
• capable of providing suitable soil volume and drainage to allow trees to thrive.