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Land Use, Housing & Zoning

Proposal from 625 5 Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, to request authorization pursuant to ZR Section 13-442 to allow one accessory parking space in an enclosed structure adjacent to the Cardinal's Residence at the NWC of East 50 Street & Madison Avenue.

WHEREAS, The Trustees of St. Patrick's Cathedral ("Applicant") has submitted an application to allow one accessory parking space in an enclosed structure adjacent to the Cardinal's residence at the northwest corner of East 50th Street and Madison Ave; and

WHEREAS, The St. Patrick's Cathedral Complex occupies the entire block bounded by Fifth Avenue, East 51st Street, Madison Avenue, and 50th Street; and

WHEREAS, The project site is located in the Special Midtown District and the Special Fifth Avenue Subdistrict in Community District Five in Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to construct a single space parking facility with secure vehicle entry to provide an enhanced level of security for the Cardinal as he enters and exits his car; and

WHEREAS, The proposed parking facility will be located immediately west of the Cardinal's residence on the north side of East 50th Street approximately 83 feet west of Madison Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The north side of East 50th Street is currently metered for short-term commercial parking with no restrictions on Sunday; and

WHEREAS, The size of the proposed parking facility is 22 feet 11 inches by 21 feet 7 inches (approximately 494 square feet); and

WHEREAS, The gates servicing the parking facility will swing inward and visible and audible signs will alert pedestrians when the car is entering and exiting; and

WHEREAS, The parking facility is for the exclusive use of the Cardinal who expects to make an average of two incoming, and two outgoing trips per day; and

WHEREAS, A foot traffic study was completed by the applicant in September of 2016 and the findings found the majority of pedestrians utilizing the south side of East 50th Street; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has received approval from the Landmarks Preservation Committee; and

WHEREAS, The size of the project was determined to be the most efficient as possible to ensure functionality while reducing the overall size of the structure; and

WHEREAS, The applicant assured the committee that the same company responsible for the current and previous restoration work on St. Patrick's will perform this work as well; and

WHEREAS, The NYPD counterterrorism unit has issued guidance that this security measure is reasonable and necessary; and

WHEREAS, There was no public opposition expressed to the committee regarding this application; and

WHEREAS, The impact of the parking structure to street, curb and pedestrians was found to be minimal; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of The Trustees of St. Patrick's Cathedral application to allow one accessory parking space in an enclosed structure adjacent to the Cardinal's residence at the northwest corner of East 50th Street and Madison Ave.

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