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Consents & Variances
Newsstand Application #1356510, S/E/C East 41st Street & Park Avenue.
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the S/E/C East 41st Street & Park Avenue; 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 proposed newsstand would be installed on an architecturally significant sidewalk installation, developed by architect Greg LeFevre that includes several sidewalk plaques. The installation of a newsstand on the project would adversely impact the installation; and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would be installed directly across from the Pershing Square viaduct; and
WHEREAS, The sidewalk where the newsstand is proposed is very fragile, so fragile that the Grand Central Partnership has never installed street furniture or planted trees because the sidewalk would be negatively impacted; 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 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 the S/E/C East 41st Street & Park 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 26 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.