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Consents & Variances
NEWSSTAND # 1324222 – NWC West 34th Street and Broadway
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the northwest corner (NWC) of 34th Street and Broadway; 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 be located at the same site as an existing bus stop; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would be located in an area that registers heavy pedestrian flow, that will even increase with the construction of the ARC (Access to the Region’s Core project); 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, CB5 received letters of opposition to the proposed newsstand from the 34th Street BID as well as from ARC (Access to the Region’s Core); and
WHEREAS, Community Board 5 is gravely concerned by the increase of nonconforming 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 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 34th Street and Broadway; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five urges DOT to proceed with the pedestrian count at the location at evening 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.