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Consents & Variances
Newsstand application for the SWC West 57th Street and 5th Avenue
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the South West corner of 57th street and 5th Avenue, and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would be located in an area that registers heavy pedestrian flow, fluctuating seasonally, and reaching critical level around the holiday season; 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 Art Commission (newly renamed Design Commission), noted that "the Fifth Avenue Business District has exceptional visual corridors and that the addition of any obstructions, including planters and newsstands will severely detract from its attractiveness and effectiveness", 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 SWC of 57th Street and 5th 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.