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Consents & Variances

May 2010, Consents & Variances Committee

Church of Scientology, rehearing of an application for a street fair on 46th St, b/w Broadway and 8th Avenues, Sunday, June 27 (Mardi Gras Festival).

WHEREAS, Church of Scientology has applied for a permit to conduct a block party, on 46^th Street, b/t Broadway and 8^th Avenues, Sunday, June 27, and

WHEREAS, Church of Scientology is headquartered on that block, and

WHEREAS, Church of Scientology has held this event for 7 years, and

WHEREAS, Two theaters, the Lunt-Fontanne and the Richard Rodgers Theaters, are located on this block, as well as the exit doors for the Imperial Theater, and

WHEREAS, Since 2005, opposition against street fairs on West 46^th Street between Broadway and 8^th Avenue on matinee days was voiced by the theaters, and

WHEREAS, On matinee days, the theaters collectively hold more than 5,000 people, including patrons, cast, crew and other support staff, and theaters believe it is unsafe to restrict access to traffic to the block when the theaters are in operation, and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five held a meeting with all parties, (Church of Scientology, Mardi Gras Productions, The Nederlander Organization, The Shubert Organization, The Marriot Marquis, The Times Square Alliance), and

WHEREAS, During this meeting, all parties showed a remarkable sense of cooperation, and found a compromise that was practical and agreeable to all parties: relocating the street fair onto Broadway between 47^th St & 51^th St, and

WHEREAS, This agreed-upon compromise was rejected by SAPO for no clear reason; therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends denial of a Church of Scientology block party on West 46^th Street b/t Broadway and 8^th Avenue, on June 27^th; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of a block party on Broadway between 47^th & 51^st Streets on June 27^th , 2010.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 34 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.