Jessica Lappin, the City Council's point woman on landmarks, explains the difference between landmarking for history and landmarking to stop development.

As chair of the City Council's subcommittee on landmarks, public siting and maritime uses, Jessica Lappin has a hand in what has become one of the most controversial aspects of New York City development and property rights – landmark status.

The City Council has the final say on a site or an area getting landmark status, and Lappin's subcommittee is the council's gatekeeper for these decisions. In the spring, she was involved in the contentious designation of Fieldston, the Bronx, as a landmark, a designation fought by several property owners (see story page TK). Also, Lappin's council district includes Roosevelt Island, a spit of East River that for decades has been a reliable source of affordable housing – but that has seen both market-rate condos and rentals open up in the past year.

In a recent podcast with The Real Deal, Lappin talked about the housing future of Roosevelt Island and about why landmarks aren't the kiss of death for development.

To listen to the entire interview, click one of the links below.