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A Civil War-era mansion set to be torn down for luxury condos was saved Tuesday by a city landmarks panel after a month-long crusade by its Clinton Hill neighbors.

Faster than a speeding wrecking ball — and more powerful than condo developer Christopher Morris — the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to grant landmark status to the Italianate mansion at 70 Lefferts Pl.

The LPC said it acted so quickly because Morris, himself a resident of historic Ditmas Park, had applied for a demolition permit on Dec. 8.

“This house has special character and special historical value,” said LPC chairman Robert Tierney. No one on the panel questioned Tierney’s move to fast-track the vote.

The lightning fast discussion and decision was unexpected, but not unwelcome.

“I’m astounded and absolutely thrilled,” said Patti Hagan, wiping away tears of joy.

Various neighborhood historical societies, preservation committees and concerned neighbors testified on behalf of the 15-bedroom home (right).

“Do we really want to destroy these beautiful homes to put up yet another luxury condo tower?” said Sharon Barnes, who lives nearby.

She did acknowledge the need for more affordable housing in the area, but concluded: “What Clinton Hill really needs is really not more condos.”

The 152-year-old home, which sits between Classon Avenue and Grand Street, has seen its share of history. The most famous resident was Reverend Major Jealous Divine — Father Divine to his followers — who bought the house in 1939.

Father Divine was the leader of the International Peace Mission Movement, and an early activist for racial equality.

Since then, it has changed hands a few times, and been renovated, but it has always retained its original character and architecture — a big selling point for the LPC.

Residents were outraged when they learned that Morris was planning to destroy it.

For more than a month, Morris dodged reporters and residents, but he did show up at this week’s hearing. First, he disputed the home’s historic value.

“I did some research to find out who lived in this house and I can’t see what’s so historically significant about them,” he said.

And then he complained that the empty house was costing him $17,000 a month to maintain.

But with the LPC vote looming, he changed course, vowing to work with “the community” to ensure that “the house remain as it is on the outside.”

After the hearing, though, Morris said he was angry that area residents had gone “behind [his] back” to the LPC.

“I feel betrayed,” he said.

Morris’s architect, Robert Biviano, had other issues on his mind.

“It’s back to the drawing board,” he said.

©2006 The Brooklyn Paper

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