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Consents & Variances
Newsstand Application #1355846, S/E/C Broadway and West 36th Street.
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the South East Corner of Broadway and 36th Street, 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, The drawing produced by the applicant is not to scale, and contains many inaccuracies; and
WHEREAS, There are existing newsstands in the vicinity; and
WHEREAS, The proposed site is a vaulted sidewalk, not reinforced to bear the weight of the structure; and
WHEREAS, 2 standpipes are located within 14 feet of the proposed newsstand location, therefore making the proposed site non-compliant with Requirements of the City of New York; and
WHEREAS, The 34th Street Partnership expressed their strong opposition to the newsstand 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
WHEREAS, Safety is a crucial concern for Community Board Five, with 2,000 pedestrians having been killed in motor vehicle accidents on the streets of New York City in the past 12 years and on average about 35 pedestrians being struck by motor vehicles in NYC everyday; and
WHEREAS, Community Board 5 recognizes that 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 South East Corner of Broadway and 36th 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 26 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.