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Consents & Variances
Newsstand application # 1369103, SWC 53rd Street and Madison Avenue
WHEREAS, The applicant seeks a permit to install and operate a newsstand on SWC 53rd St. & Madison Ave, andWHEREAS, The proposed site is heavily congested with pedestrian traffic, and
WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would negatively impact on pedestrian traffic by creating further congestion, thus creating an unsafe condition, 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 every day; and
WHEREAS, The proposed site is in front of a building in construction and therefore it is impossible to know that the proposed newsstand would be in compliance vis-à-vis the new building, and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five 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 on SWC 53rd St. & Madison 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.