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Consents & Variances
2014 Applications for Annual Post-Parade Events in and around Madison Square Park.
At the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of Community Board Five on Thursday, March 13, 2014, the Board passed the following resolution by a vote of 36 in favor; 1 opposed (on the Persian Day Parade); 1 abstaining:
- 1. Persian Day Parade: Sunday, April 13th, 2014 on Madison Ave between 25th and 26th Streets
- 2. Sikh Cultural Society: on Saturday, April 26, 2014 on Madison Ave between 26th and 27th Streets
- Philippine Independence Day Council Inc.: Sunday, June 1st, 2014 on Madison Ave between 23rd and 26th Streets
- 4. Federation of Indian Association: Sunday, August 17th, 2014 on Madison Ave between 23rd and 27th Streets
- Muslim Foundation of America, Inc.: Sunday, September 21st, 2014 on Madison Ave between 23rd and 26th Streets
WHEREAS, The entities listed above ("Applicants") have submitted applications to hold post-parade events in Madison Square Park and on certain adjacent streets as noted above, causing those streets' closures; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of several years, Applicants have worked with Community Board Five, in coordination with the Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) and the Madison Square Park Conservancy (MSPC), to improve their events operationally and alleviate any issues from past events; and
WHEREAS, Each Applicant has signed a Statement of Compliance acknowledging their understanding and acceptance of CB5's Policy on Madison Square Park Large Events and each of its required operational commitments and restrictions; and
WHEREAS, Each Applicant has provided a site map of their event, including emergency lane clearance requirements, as well as plans for sanitation, security, amplified sound, and cell phone contact information for day-of point persons to respond to any immediate concerns; all of which have been submitted to SAPO; and
WHEREAS, Each Applicant has agreed to set the volume level of their amplified sound system by 2:00 p.m. the day of their event, in coordination with SAPO and MSPC, and commits to no further increase of volume levels past that time; and
WHEREAS, Each Applicant has agreed to notify the residential buildings surrounding the park one week prior to their event, and to conduct on-site meetings with MSPC two weeks prior to their event to work out operational details and anticipate any concerns; and
WHEREAS, In the case of the Federation of Indian Association, the Applicant has agreed to submit a revised application in full detail and with commensurate commitment to comply with CB5's Policy on Madison Square Park Large Events in the event that they elect to revise their plans and file for a single-block event with concurrent special event permits for adjacent blocks; and
WHEREAS, In the case of the Persian Day Parade, the Applicant has been put on notice that their failure to adequately manage sanitation and amplified sound levels at their event in 2013 has resulted in heightened scrutiny for this year's event, with the explicit understanding that failure to fully comply this year with CB5's Policy on Madison Square Park Large Events will result in an automatic denial of their event in 2015, as per CB5 and SAPO's policies not to support any event after material non-compliance for two consecutive years; and
WHEREAS, There is long-standing precedent for these events, some of which have been held for decades; and
WHEREAS, Each Applicant has exhibited good faith efforts in continuing to improve the execution of their event, including multiple meetings and correspondence with Community Board Five for planning purposes; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the 2014 applications for annual Post-Parade Events in and around Madison Square Park: Persian Day Parade, Sikh Cultural Society, Philippine Independence Day Council Inc., Federation of Indian Association, and Muslim Foundation of America, Inc.