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Consents & Variances
Newsstand application # 1374297, SWC 23rd Street and 5th Avenue
WHEREAS, The applicant seeks a permit to install and operate a 5'x10' newsstand at the SWC of West 23rd Street and 5th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would be located in an area that registers a heavy pedestrian traffic flow; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would have a negative impact on pedestrian traffic, adding to congestion and creating an unsafe condition; and
WHEREAS, Safety is a crucial concern for Community Board Five; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand is directly across 5th Avenue from the Flatiron Building: one of New York City's most recognizable landmarks; and
WHEREAS, The neighborhood is adequately served by the existing newsstands and newspaper stores in the vicinity, including newsstands on the NWC of 23rd and 5th and on the SEC of 22nd and Broadway; and
WHEREAS, The proposed location has been denied by DCA & DOT in 2009; 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 SWC of West 23rd 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 (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 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.