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Consents & Variances
Newstand # 1326520 – NWC West 57th Street and 6th Avenue
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the northwest corner (NWC) of West 57th Street & 6th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, CB5 takes its role seriously, and the applicant failed to appear at a regularly scheduled meeting and failed to address questions and concerns CB5 had about the application; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would have a negative impact on pedestrian traffic, which is already very heavy, and add to congestion and create an unsafe condition; and
WHEREAS, There are two (2) other newsstands directly across the street from the proposed site on the southwest and northeast corners of West 57th Street and 6th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, There is a bus stop on the 57th Street side of the corner; and
WHEREAS, There is a subway entrance about 50’ from the proposed site; and
WHEREAS, The 6th Avenue side of the proposed corner has too much street furniture including a large phone bank and four (4) newspaper dispensers; and
WHEREAS, The Buckingham Hotel sent two representatives to oppose the application on the same grounds set forth above and to further oppose the application based on the adverse impact the newsstand would have on retail tenants and aesthetic grounds; and
WHEREAS, Safety is a crucial concern for Community Board Five; and
WHEREAS, Community Board 5 recognizes that the newsstand applicants are usually individuals and small business owners (often minorities or recent immigrants) 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 West 50th Street & 7th Avenue; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five urges DOT to proceed with the pedestrian count at the location at rush hour (5 PM- 6 PM) on a weekday, and be it further
RESOLVED, That in recognizing that the cost of applying for a newsstand is very high for the applicant, including the cost of hiring professionals to assist with the application, Community Board Five requests that DCA refund the application fee for applications that are denied.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.