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Land Use, Housing & Zoning
768 5th Avenue - an application for a second modification of a special permit to allow the re-allocation, re-configuration and reduction to facilitate a 100 Square Foot Health Club in the building's cellar level
WHEREAS, The Plaza encompasses a residential unit, a hotel unit with both transient and condo hotel units, a club on the third floor with a physical culture establishment targeted to residents and hotel guests, and an accessory unit that owns most of the landmarked interiors as well as the retail and restaurant components in the building's cellar and sub-cellar; and
WHEREAS, Since 2006 The Plaza has undergone a substantial restoration of its exterior façade as well as a substantial reconstruction of its interiors; and
WHEREAS, When The Plaza Condominium was created in 2006, because the building is located in two zoning districts, R10-H and C5-2.5, it obtained a Special Permit for the portions of the building located within the R10-H district to allow retail, restaurant, banquet, and health club uses; and
WHEREAS, The Plaza was designated a New York City Landmark in 1969 and in 2005, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated certain interior rooms as new York City Interior Landmarks, but this modification will have no impact on any of the landmarked areas of The Plaza; and
WHEREAS, In 2007 an initial modification of the Special Permit was granted by the City Planning Commission that authorized the use of a portion of the Building's sub-cellar for a physical culture establishment; and
WHEREAS, The Plaza has applied to again modify the Special Permit to re-allocate, re-configure, and reduce by 2,692 square feet the previously approved commercial use on the sub-cellar level and also to permit use on the cellar level that had been designated for retail use but is currently unoccupied, with the two levels to be connected by an interior staircase, to accommodate a new physical culture establishment tenant; and
WHEREAS, The new tenant would be La Palestra, an exclusive fitness and training facility that would primarily serve members of the public with services that combine medical consultations with physical therapy and fitness programs; and
WHEREAS, The proposed modification will not affect any portions of the Building other than the below grade levels, does not result in any additions of floor area to the building, and will not affect building entrances; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application of Plaza Accessory Owner LP for a second modification of its Special Permit granted pursuant to Section 74-711 to reduce the portion of the Condominium sub-cellar authorized to be used as a physical culture establishment, placing it instead as an accessory hotel space, and to permit the creation of a physical culture establishment on the cellar floor.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstaining.