Newsstand application # 1376425, NEC 7th Avenue and 47th Street
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the NEC of West 47th Street and 7th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The proposed site falls within the CB5 moratorium on new street furniture; and
WHEREAS, The proposed site is heavily congested with pedestrian traffic; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would negatively impact pedestrian traffic by creating further congestion, thus creating an unsafe condition; and
WHEREAS, Safety is a crucial concern for Community Board Five; 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 on NEC 47th Street and 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 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.