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Land Use, Housing & Zoning
BSA # 74-49BZ, 515 Seventh Avenue, application pursuant to Section 11-411 of the ZR to request (i) an extension of the term of the variance previously granted, (ii) an amendment to the previously approved plans to increase the number of parking spaces ...
BSA # 74-49BZ, 515 Seventh Avenue, application to request (i) an extension of the term of the variance previously granted, (ii) an amendment to the previously approved plans to increase the number of parking spaces and (iii) a waiver of the BSA's Rules of Practice and Procedure for an extension of time to obtain a C of O.
WHEREAS, The owner of a public parking garage located on the southeast corner of Seventh Avenue and 38th Street seeks an extension of the terms of a Variance previously granted by the Board of Standards and Appeals and an increase in the number of car parking spaces from 253 to 360 spaces; and
WHEREAS, The BSA has the authority to prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards in order to minimize adverse effects the existing use may have on the character of the surrounding neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Increasing the number of permitted car parking spaces will increase the number of car trips taken in this congested neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, The Board supports proposed zoning amendments which would require new public parking garages to provide one bicycle parking space for each ten car parking spaces and supports extending that requirement to public parking garages seeking extensions or renewals of Variances or Special Permits; and
WHEREAS, Providing new bicycle parking would encourage people to ride bicycles to work in the area, thus minimizing any adverse effects of the existing garage operation and the increased allowable parking requested by the applicant; and
WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to create 5 bicycle spaces on the ground floor and has agreed to increase the number of bicycle spaces if there is sufficient demand; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five urges the BSA to approve the request by a public parking garage located on the southeast corner of Seventh Avenue and 38th Street for an extension of the variance, with an increase in the number of parking spaces and the inclusion of five (5) bicycle spaces available on the ground floor.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 28 in favor, 1 opposed, 2 abstaining.