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Consents & Variances
Newsstand Application #1359486, N/E/C 5th Avenue & East 58th Street
WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the North East Corner of 5th Avenue and 58th Street; and
WHEREAS, CB5 takes its role seriously, and the applicant failed to appear at a regularly scheduled meeting and failed to address questions and concerns CB5 had about the application; and
WHEREAS, The proposed location has been denied by DCA & DOT in 2008, and
WHEREAS, CB5 has a moratorium for street furniture at the site of the proposed newsstand, and
WHEREAS, The intersection is one of the most congested with pedestrian traffic in New York City, and
WHEREAS, The 5th Avenue Association BID has conducted a pedestrian traffic study of the area showing severe traffic congestion, and
WHEREAS, A newsstand at the proposed site would have an extremely negative impact on pedestrian traffic, thus creating an unsafe condition, and
WHEREAS, There are no newsstands on 5th Avenue between 25th Street and 82nd Street), and
WHEREAS, A newsstand would set an unfortunate precedent and would create visual clutter on the prestigious Avenue, and
WHEREAS, The New York City Art Commission has rejected newsstands proposed for the Fifth Avenue Special District stating, "The Commission notes that the zoned, Fifth Avenue Special Business District has exceptional visual corridors and that the addition of any obstructions, including planters and newsstands, will severely detract from its attractiveness and effectiveness." therefore be it
WHEREAS, Safety is a crucial concern for Community Board Five; 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 NEC of 5th Avenue and East 58th 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 42 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.