In New York City, life unfolds on the stoops of rowhouses. There, residents and their guests filter in and out of the front door. In a pinch, the steps sub in for seats, on sunny Sunday afternoons they play host to sidewalk sales.Arguably one of New Yorks most famous stoops is at 66 Perry Street. The Greenwich Village residence made its big screen debut on Sex and the City, as the exterior of protagonist Carrie Bradshaws residence. Fast forward nearly 30 years, daily visitors make pilgrimages to the Italianate edifice lined with black iron railings to pose for photographs, recreating popular scenes from the television show that debuted in 1998, and was recently rebooted.66 Perry Street, and its steps, where Carrie liked to take smoke breaks and daydream about Big and Aidan, have been the subject of much controversy as of late, and preservation proceedings. The longtime owner of 66 Perry Street has been more than patient in dealing with the regular onslaught of onlookers who gather on her stoop day to night. This week, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) reviewed and approved a proposal to add a gate to the front of the stoop. This is meant to protect the residence and privacy of its residents amid its tourist-attraction appeal.A chain link with signs wasnt enough to stop some from climbing up onto the stoop steps. (Courtesy Landmarks Preservation Commission)In the hearing, the owner, who purchased the 1866 rowhouse in 1979, considered herself stubborn, saying for decades she had hoped her stoops popularity would drop in interest. She tried a simple chain link with a sign to prevent people from climbing onto the steps, peering into the windows, and ringing the doorbellit didnt work.In a statement, submitted to the LPC with the application for the gate, the owner recalled saying yes to the young film scout who showed up on her doorstep inquiring if it could be used in an upcoming television show: At the time, no one knew the show would turn into anything long lastingmuch less, the iconic fantasy vehicle and touchstone for NYCs magic that it has become. My home is now a global tourist destination, she wrote. Local architect Isidoro Cruz designed a gate for the stoop. Handco Welding will also work on the project. The owner statement shared that the design intent is to create a gate that blends with the existing stair railings, areaway fence and late Italianate facade we restored in the early 1980s.The proposed gate features an arched top and its panels mimic those of the existing fences. (Courtesy Landmarks Preservation Commission)In a presentation during the LPC hearing, Cruz explained the detailing proposed for the steel and cast iron gate. The arch swooping over the top was modeled after the arched pediment and windows, he said, while the gate panels are envisioned as near identical matches to those decorating the low-lying, existing fences lining either side of the stoop.In the hearing with LPC, several commissioners noted a dislike for the arch, saying it may draw too much attention to the gate, adding that leaving it flat may work just fine.It was unanimous among the commissioners that a design solution is more than necessary at 66 Perry Street. The addition of a gate was swiftly approved, albeit with a design that may be slightly tweaked, however, I couldnt help but wonder what would Carrie Bradshaw think of it all?