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Consents & Variances
Newsstand application for the SWC East 33rd Street and Park Avenue
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the SWC East 33rd Street and Park Avenue, and
WHEREAS, 2,000 pedestrians have been killed in motor vehicle collisions on the streets of New York City in the past 12 years and each day approximately 35 pedestrians are struck by autos in NYC. Safety is a crucial concern for Community Board Five; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would have a negative impact on pedestrian traffic, adding to congestion and creating an unsafe condition; and
WHEREAS, the proposed newsstand would be located in front of a landmark building and would not be harmonious with its surroundings, by creating visual and physical clutter, and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would be in front of a HSBC branch, which would be in violation of Art 2-65 3-A of the Rules of the city of New York, stating that "a newsstand should leave a 15 foot clearance as measured parallel to the curb, […] from any entrance from a bank to the street providing access to tellers for members of the general public.", and
WHEREAS, Community Board 5 is gravely concerned by the increase of applications for newsstands within its district, and strongly urges Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Transportation and the Design Commission to work with CB5 and other interested parties to establish a master plan for new newsstand locations, and
WHEREAS, Community Board 5 recognizes that applications for newsstands are usually presented by small business, minority owners and urges the Department of Small Business Services to assist applicants in the cumbersome application process, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install a newsstand at the 33rd Street and Park Avenue, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five urges DOT to proceed with the pedestrian count at the location at rush hour, 5pm on weekdays, and be it further
RESOLVED, That in recognizing that the cost of applying for a newsstand is very high to small business owners and operators, Community Board Five requests that DCA refunds the application fee for applications that are denied.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.