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Consents & Variances
Newsstand # 1324103 – NWC Lexington Avenue & East 57th Street
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the northwest corner (NWC) of Lexington Avenue and East 57th Street; 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, A representative of East Midtown Partnership (BID) did appear to object to the application on the basis of impact on pedestrian traffic on an already overcrowded area and the economic threat that the newsstand would pose to the existing retailers who are already suffering badly from the current economic conditions; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would visually and aesthetically undermine the extensive capital improvement project undertaken by the owner of the adjacent building; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would have a negative impact on pedestrian traffic, adding to congestion and creating an unsafe condition; and
WHEREAS, The additional sidewalk congestion precipitated by the proposed newsstand may lead pedestrians to walk in the gutters and streets, thereby adding to traffic congestion and creating a potentially dangerous condition; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five 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 NWC Lexington Avenue & East 57th Street; 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 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.