WHEREAS, The applicant CPS Hospitality LLC, is applying for a revocable consent for a sidewalk café, at 768 Fifth Avenue, aka The Plaza Hotel, in front of the Oak Room, on Central Park South, and

WHEREAS, The proposed sidewalk café would be 50 feet long and 8 feet wide, would have 12 tables and 24 seats, would have no heater in winter, no awning or canopy, and

WHEREAS, The proposed sidewalk café would be located 15 feet from a subway entrance, and would leave 8 feet of clear pathway at its narrowest point, and

WHEREAS, Pedestrian traffic is moderate to heavy reaching high congestion at peak times, forcing pedestrians to walk on the street, thus creating an unsafe condition, and

WHEREAS, If approved, the numerous sidewalk cafes located on Central Park South would create a narrow pedestrian corridor unable to accommodate the pedestrian flow, and

WHEREAS, 2,000 pedestrians have been killed in motor vehicle collisions on the streets of New York City in the past 12 years and each day approximately 35 pedestrians are struck by autos in NYC and pedestrian safety is a crucial concern for Community Board 5, therefore be it,

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends denial of the application for a revocable consent for a sidewalk café located at 768 Fifth Avenue, in front of the Oak Room, on Central Park South.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 2 opposed; 1 abstaining; and 1 present not entitled to vote.

WHEREAS, The applicant seeks a permit to install and operate a newsstand on the southwest corner of 47th Street and 6th Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would be located on 6th Avenue, in an area with heavy pedestrian flow; and

WHEREAS, 2,000 pedestrians have been killed in motor vehicle collisions on the streets of New York City in the past 12 years and each day approximately 35 pedestrians are struck by autos in NYC. Safety is a crucial concern for Community Board Five; and

WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would have a negative impact on pedestrian traffic, adding to congestion and creating an unsafe condition; and

WHEREAS, The neighborhood is adequately served by the 3 existing newsstands within one block of the proposed location; and

WHEREAS, The newsstand would negatively impact on the surrounding area creating physical and visual clutter; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install a newsstand on the southwest corner of 47th Street and 6th Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 34 in favor; 0 opposed; 3 abstaining.

To view the full text of the letter to the NYPL regarding the Donnell Library, please click here.

WHEREAS, 40 West 22nd Street, located in the Ladies Mile Historic District, is a 1909 Neo-Renaissance twelve-story store and loft building characteristic of the later development phase of the District; and

WHEREAS, The upper floors of the building are now a residential loft co-op, which owns the retail portion of the building; and

WHEREAS, The co-op has applied to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to renovate the residential entrance as follows:

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to increase the height of the store entrance doorway to match the height of the upper floor entrance when a lease with a new tenant is signed; and

WHEREAS, Although the asymmetrical widths of the two entry doors are not ideal from an esthetic or historically appropriate point of view, they are considered appropriate from an ADA compliance standpoint; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by 40 West 22nd Street to replace an existing non-historic (1960's) co-op entrance as detailed in the four items set forth above.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 25 in favor; 7 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Cole Haan, a  tenant at 141 Fifth Avenue has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to renovate the storefront at this building in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The proposed renovation for a Cole Haan shoe store is tasteful, uses appropriate materials and is consistent with nearby neighboring stores and buildings; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has withdrawn a proposed modification to the display vitrine that was deemed inappropriate; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That, with the exception of the display vitrine bolted through the storefront window glass, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for new storefront renovation at 141 Fifth Avenue.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 682 6th Avenue is an eight-story Neo-Renaissance store and loft building in the Ladies Mile Historic District, known as the Hall Building, dating from 1897; and

WHEREAS, The new retail tenant, Game Stop, has applied to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to renovate and replace the non-original aluminum and glass storefront with a new storefront resembling the Chipotle  Restaurant storefront next door; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed not to install the gooseneck-style lighting fixtures that Chipotle has, but will consult with the staff at Landmarks before any lighting is installed; and

WHEREAS, The design, materials, signage and finishes proposed by the applicant are deemed an improvement over the existing condition and harmonious with the other storefronts in the District, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by Game Stop to create a storefront infill at 682 6th Avenue in the Ladies Mile Historic District.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, 1141 Broadway located on the northwest corner of Broadway and 26th Street, is a nine-story loft/office building in the Ladies Mile Historic District; and

WHEREAS, The owner filed a Building Permit in February 2009 for the general renovation of the existing building and conversion of the building use group to hotel; and

WHEREAS, Mark Gribler, the owner, has applied to Landmarks Preservation Commission seeking permission to replace the existing storefront; renovate the penthouse and roof; and

WHEREAS, The architect for the applicant presented plans and designs for the proposed storefront to Community Board Five which propose:

WHEREAS, The installation of the new storefront would include doors and ground floor transom windows as well as faux terra cotta tile columns, which relate to the architecture in the upper floors; and

WHEREAS, The renovation and extension of the penthouse and roof would include replacing the windows and re-cladding the façade with either faux terra cotta tiles or brick and removing the water tower; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five usually prefers that water towers be repaired and not removed due to their significance to the Historic District but given the existing condition of the tower and fact that the applicant discussed the removal with Landmarks staff, the committee conceded to its removal; and

WHEREAS, The Landlord also plans to add a marquee to the entrance of the hotel and agreed to file this under a new application once the design and hotel name were selected and come back before Community Board Five for review and comment; and

WHEREAS, The proposed replacement design is an upgrade of the existing condition of the building's storefront, penthouse and roof in its functional elements and design and is considered historically or esthetically consonant with the building's original architecture and the other buildings in the Historic District, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for replacement of the existing storefront and renovation of the roof and penthouse at 1141 Broadway.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The owner of 280 Park Avenue (between East 48th and 49th Streets) received a zoning bonus for the provision of a public plaza; and

WHEREAS, The bonus plaza was originally of little value to the surrounding neighborhood as it essentially consisted of modest setbacks around the building; and

WHEREAS, The original special permit for the plaza was modified to permit the use of space on both East 48th streets and East 49th Streets for private outdoor dining areas; and

WHEREAS, The modification included significant improvements to the remaining outdoor space which included seating and landscaping; and

WHEREAS, The outdoor dining areas and the plaza improvements do enhance and improve the plaza space but that portable barriers with signage have been erected around the outdoor dining areas that tend to wall those areas off from the public and look unwelcoming; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to stop the use of the barriers from around the dining areas; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Board recommends approval of the proposed certification for 280 Park Avenue to allow four open air cafes within an existing public plaza provided that the owner does not permit barriers to be placed around the dining areas.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 34 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Department of City Planning, in close cooperation with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, is proposing a text amendment to the Inclusionary Housing Zoning Resolution which will:

WHEREAS, The original Inclusionary Housing Zoning Bonus was created to encourage broad participation of developers who can receive a bonus by providing affordable housing that is on-site or off-site within the same Community District, through new construction, rehabilitation or preservation of existing affordable housing which remains affordable for the life of the increased floor area; and

WHEREAS, The original Inclusionary Housing Zoning Bonus program was only available in high-density R-10 districts and was limited to a 20% increase in floor area; and

WHEREAS, The original program created very few new permanently affordable housing units; and

WHEREAS, A new “expanded” Inclusionary Housing Zoning Resolution was adopted in 2005 which can be applied to a broad range of zoning districts where it is specifically adopted as part of area rezoning; and

WHEREAS, The new expanded program has been mapped in only a few areas of the City but has already produced more affordable housing than the original program; and

WHEREAS, Developers using the expanded bonus can receive up to a 33 percent bonus if at least 20 percent of their residential floor area is affordable to households which are at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income; and

WHEREAS, The new proposed homeownership option would make housing available to households earning 80 percent of the Area Median Income level and would be allowed to appreciate at a fixed rate, allowing a homeowner to earn a modest inflation-adjusted return but would also be capped so as to keep the unit permanently affordable; and

WHEREAS, The proposed amendments would expand the original program by increasing the incentives for utilizing the bonus program and make technical changes which are necessary to clear some ambiguities and confusion from the 2005 amendments; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Board recommends approval of the proposed Inclusionary Housing Zoning Text Amendments.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, A zoning text amendment was adopted in 2007 which made extensive changes in design requirements for public plazas used for a bonus increase in floor area for new developments; and

WHEREAS, Recent applications for new public plazas or existing plazas with design changes have identified certain regulations that warrant improvement or clarification of the 2007 text; and

WHEREAS, The proposed amendments would make minor changes to provisions regarding the planting of trees, the size of signs, required sidewalk frontages and area dimensions which would clarify some standards or add new provisions to improve the quality and utility of public plazas; and

WHEREAS, The Board finds that all of these changes are technical in nature and will make the requirements for new plazas clearer and easier to comply with; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the proposed Zoning Text Amendments regarding Privately Owned Public Plazas.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 35 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer has submitted an application seeking permission to operate a temporary rest stop that will be installed in the western perimeter of Madison Square Park in order to facilitate participants in their annual fundraising walk; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has conducted their Walk for Breast Cancer fundraiser since 2003, and has experience in the operation of temporary rest stops in various locations throughout New York City; and

WHEREAS, The proposed rest stop will be in operation on Sunday October 11, 2009 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM, requiring set-up to begin at 7:30 AM, and dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 12:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, Twenty-five (25) portable toilets will be delivered to the site late in the evening of Saturday October 10, 2009, and these will be removed after the walk passes through Madison Square Park; and

WHERES, The proposed rest stop will be composed of two (2) 10’-0” X 10’-0” tents for the provision of food and beverages, and one (1) 15’-0” X 15’-0” tent for the provision of medical services for the participants of the walk; and

WHEREAS, The Twenty-five (25) portable toilets will be spaced as not to block park benches or entrances; and

WHEREAS, There will be a few 2’-0” X 3’-0” informational sandwich board signs set-up to help the walkers at this rest stop; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five has repeatedly denied access to its parks for commercial events, however, in our review of all of the information and material provided by the applicant, it is clearly exhibited that there is no particular product that is being promoted, and that corporate signage is minimal; and

WHEREAS, The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is an event that is charitable in nature, does not have a commercial intent, and operation of this rest stop will offer some public benefit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to operate a temporary rest stop in Madison Square Park on Sunday October 11, 2009

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Eventage has submitted an application seeking permission for a special event to be conducted in Duffy Square, south of the TKTS bleachers on Tuesday April 21, 2009 between the hours of 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, requiring set-up to begin at 5:00 AM, and dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 4:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, the applicant has stated that the purpose of this proposed event is to conduct a promotional sampling event and press announcement relative to a new product being introduced by Degree Deodorant; and

WHEREAS, set-up for the event would include two (2) tents, one measuring 10’-0” X 10’-0”, the other measuring 10’-0” X 20’-0”; a stage platform measuring 8’-0” X 8’-0”; a press riser measuring 8’-0” X  4’-0”, as well as some small tables, speakers, and a generator; and

WHEREAS, the tents and all other structures are covered with promotional branding; and

WHEREAS, as a result of a CB5 Parks Forum in 2007, guidelines were developed addressing an number of concerns regarding the extent of impact on and commercialization of our parks by special events; and

WHEREAS, the Parks Forum Guidelines are “flexible enough to be adapted to every park and every event;” and

WHEREAS, Duffy Square is a park within CB5 and provides a respite for workers, shoppers and the public within the everyday “busyness” of Times Square; and

WHEREAS, this event:

WHEREAS, this event features corporate sponsors, logos and products that constitute 100% commercial use of Duffy Square; and

WHEREAS, even though the sponsors have offered a financial contribution of $52,000 to the Parks Department’s General Fund, CB5 has repeatedly denied access to its parks for events that are strictly or predominantly commercial; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends disapproval of the application by Eventage to conduct Degree Deodorant’s promotional sampling event and press announcement in Duffy Square on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 24 in favor; 12 opposed; 4 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, EMU has submitted an application seeking permission for a holistic health fair to be conducted in the South Plaza of Union Square Park on Tuesday May 5, 2009 between the hours of 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM, requiring set-up to begin at 10:00 AM, and dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 8:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event titled May Day, will include a gathering of health care practitioners, a yoga demonstration, a Tai Chi demonstration, and various lectures to provide information on preventative and holistic health care alternatives; and

WHEREAS, The event is free of charge to all spectators, and there will be no sale of merchandise or food, nor will there be any advertising materials distributed; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five is concerned that due to the current and ongoing construction in the North Plaza, there is a decrease in available park space, as well as fewer days in which special events can be held in Union Square Park; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event is one which does not require a large amount of space, is brief in duration, does not have a commercial intent, and may offer some public benefit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application by EMU to conduct the May Day holistic health fair in Union Square Park on Tuesday May 5, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Passport to Taiwan has submitted an application seeking permission for a Cultural Festival event to be conducted in the South Plaza of Union Square Park on Sunday May 24, 2009 between the hours of 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM, requiring set-up to begin at 9:00 AM, and dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 7:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, The festival will feature performances, presentations, arts and crafts, foods, children's workshops and installation art celebrating Taiwan American heritage in conjunction with Asian Pacific Heritage Month and Taiwanese American Heritage Week; and

WHEREAS, The festival site will include a stage truss and several canopied booths; and

WHEREAS, There will be signage on the booths advertising the event, but there will be no commercial signage; and

WHEREAS, The Festival costs approximately $40,000 to produce and is primarily supported by small private donations; and

WHEREAS, Taiwanese food and arts and crafts will be sold at the festival, and the proceeds will go to the nonprofit organization Passport to Taiwan to cover some (less than 25%) of the costs of the festival; and

WHEREAS, The festival will be free of charge; and

WHEREAS, Amplified sound will be used sporadically throughout the festival, and all appropriate sound permits will be obtained from the Police Department; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has arranged for their own clean up personnel and will pay Parks Department overtime to assist with clean up; and

WHEREAS, 2009 will mark the festival's eighth year in New York, and the applicant represents that no past complaints have been received; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application by Passport to Taiwan to conduct a Cultural Festival in the South Plaza of Union Square Park on Sunday May 24, 2008.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, TH Outdoor & Events has submitted an application seeking permission for a charity event to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to be conducted in the South Plaza of Union Square Park on Sunday October 4, 2009 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and

WHEREAS, Set up will begin at 8:00 PM the previous night, with any heavy building completed before midnight, and clean up conclude by midnight on the day of the event; and

WHEREAS, The event site will include two tents in which Pilates classes will be held, each of which will accommodate 60-70 participants and each accompanied by a check in tent; two welcome tents, one on each side of the event, for ticket purchases and event information; one coat check tent; one staff tent; one VIP tent; and nine advertiser tents; and

WHEREAS, The event will feature six to twelve Pilates classes offered throughout the day for which participants will pay approximately $25 for the first class and $5 for each additional class (2008 prices); and

WHEREAS, Advertising sponsors (to be determined) will give away product samples and/or sell products; and

WHEREAS, All proceeds from classes, product sales and advertiser fees will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; and

WHEREAS, In 2008 the event raised $171,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; and

WHEREAS, The anticipated attendance throughout the day is 500 people; and

WHEREAS, Signage will include a small banner with the advertiser's name at each advertising tent, and all other signage will advertise the event; and

WHEREAS, Amplified sound will not be used; and

WHEREAS, 2009 will mark the event's third year in Union Square Park; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by TH Outdoor & Events to conduct the Pilates For Pink charity event in the south plaza of Union Square Park on Sunday October 4, 2009

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, The West Harlem Art Fund has submitted an application seeking permission to conduct a public performance art installation in the North Plaza of Union Square Park on Sunday May 31, 2009 between the hours of 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM,  requiring set-up to begin at 10:00 AM, and dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 11:30 AM; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event, known as X Marks The Spot involves a dance performance where participants will create a letter “X” that moves into other shapes; and

WHEREAS, The event is free of charge to all participants, and there will be no sale of merchandise or food, nor will there be any advertising materials distributed; and

 WHEREAS, The West Harlem Art Fund has successfully performed many public events in NYC parks with no complaints or problems; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five is concerned that due to the current and ongoing construction in the North Plaza, there is a decrease in available park space, as well as fewer days in which special events can be held in Union Square Park; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes that due to the small foot print that would be required, and short duration of time, it would also be appropriate to conduct this event in the South Plaza of Union Square Park; and

WHEREAS, In the presentation of this application it has been expressed that the Parks Department Special Permit Office believes that by the time this event is scheduled to occur, construction in the North Plaza will be completed to an extent that ample space will be available in which to conduct this event; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event is artistic in nature, does not require a large amount of space, is brief in duration, does not have a commercial intent, and may offer some public benefit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by The West Harlem Art Fund to hold a public performance art installation in the North Plaza of Union Square Park on Sunday May 31, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and

WHEREAS, Vaughn Forest Church submitted an application seeking permission for a student choir concert to be conducted in the South Plaza of Union Square Park on Monday June 8, 2009 between the hours of 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM; and

WHEREAS, During 2005, the applicant had conducted previous choir concerts in the Central Park band shell, in Battery Park’s Eisenhower Mall and in Sarah Delano Roosevelt Park; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five is concerned that due to the current and ongoing construction in the North Plaza, and the relocation of the Greenmarket toward the west and the south, there is a decrease in available park space, as well as fewer days in which special events can be held in the South Plaza of Union Square Park; and

WHEREAS, The event is free of charge to all participants, and there will be no sale of merchandise or food, nor will there be any advertising materials distributed; and

WHEREAS, The proposed event is one which does not require a large amount of space, is brief in duration, does not have a commercial intent, and may offer some public benefit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the application by Vaughn Forest Church to conduct their student choir concert in Union Square Park on Monday June 8, 2009.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The applicant, 1189 Broadway Tenant LLC/Friedfield Breslin LLC, d/b/a "The Royal Pine,"  (represented by Andrew Zobler - owner) has applied for an on-premises liquor license for a small bar/lounge for the premises at 14 West 29th Street; and

WHEREAS, This establishment will be located in a small independent townhouse (four floors) adjacent to the "Ace Hotel" (also owned by the applicant), which has a full-fledged restaurant with a separate liquor license but does not have a lounge within the hotel; and

WHEREAS, The security from the "Ace Hotel" will be used for both establishments; and

WHEREAS, the premises:

• are 1384 square feet,
• have a capacity of 74 (including standing),
• are being leased by the applicants,
• will not have direct access to the adjacent hotel,
• will be accessed from the street (stairs leading down to below street level),
• first floor will be used for storage,
• two floors for retail space,
• fourth floor is presently occupied by a resident who attended the PSQL Committee meeting on 4/13/09; and

WHEREAS, The resident/occupant at 14 W 29th, a member of the PSQL Committee who lives in the area, and an officer of the 13th Precinct's Community Affairs Unit all spoke of the benefit and improvement operations such as this bring to an extremely desolate area and this block in particular and welcome this establishment to the block and the neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, The bar/lounge will operate from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m., serve bar snacks and will afford patrons of the hotel as well as neighborhood residents, etc. the opportunity to sit and relax without having to order a meal; and

WHEREAS, Since this building is located in an historic district, any exterior work to be done to the premises must be presented to CB5's Landmarks Committee and approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, The applicants/owners will not make any assignment of the lease to the premises without first notifying the Community Board; the buyers shall submit themselves to the Community Board for its approval prior to any assignment being made or agreed to; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the on-premises liquor license for 1186 Broadway Tenant, LLC/Friedfield Breslin, LLC, for the premises located at 14 West 29th Street, New York, NY.

WHEREAS, Broadway disrupts the street grid, creating complicated intersections; and

WHEREAS, At Herald Square, Broadway competes for green signal time with Sixth Avenue and 34th Street, creating significant delays on both thoroughfares; and

WHEREAS, At the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue at Times Square, extra-wide crossings require long red lights while pedestrians clear intersections, thereby causing traffic delays; and

WHEREAS, Traffic makes it nearly impossible for emergency vehicles to get through Times and Herald Squares; and

WHEREAS, Over 356,000 pedestrians walk through Times Square daily and, although there are 4.5 times as many people as there are vehicles, only 11% of the space currently is allocated to pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, Broadway had one of Manhattan's worst safety records from 1998 to 2007, and Broadway at Times Square averages 137% more pedestrian accidents than at other avenues in the area; and

WHEREAS, Targeted traffic improvements of this pilot program will maximize throughput and reduce congestion on the avenues by increasing signal time; and

WHEREAS, Targeted improvements to Herald Square and Times Square will reduce pedestrian accidents on Broadway by expanding the space available for pedestrians; and

WHERAS, A fire lane will be maintained at all times down Broadway in this pilot program, thereby improving emergency response times; and

WHEREAS, Over three acres of new open space will be added to midtown Manhattan in this pilot program, with greenery added at 24 locations; and

WHEREAS, The DOT will utilize in-house staff and resources to complete this project this year quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively at an estimated cost of $1.5 million; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 approves the DOT "Green Light for Midtown" Pilot Program because of the improvements it is expected to deliver to midtown Manhattan in terms of upgraded streetscapes, reduced traffic congestion and more room for pedestrians, but with the understanding that all of the following concerns and issues are to be addressed by the DOT in implementing and continuing this program:

The above resolution passed with a vote of 28 in favor, 7 opposed, 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The block bounded by Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas and West 56th and West 57th Streets, although in a mostly commercial and business district, contains a number of residential buildings; and

WHEREAS, There are presently no locations at the westerly end of said block where automobiles are permitted to stand for purposes of loading and unloading packages and dropping off or picking up passengers; and

WHEREAS, Such an area is desired by the residents of said block to allow for safe and convenient access to their homes; and

WHEREAS, It would be impractical to permit standing on the West 57th Street or Avenue of the Americas sides of the block due to New York City Transit bus stops and the substantial traffic flow on those avenues; and

WHEREAS, Members of the public have requested that the New York City Department of Transportation review the no-parking and no-standing regulations that currently affect the northern side of West 56th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, in order to determine whether such regulations could be modified to permit parking and/or standing of passenger vehicles during certain hours or on certain days; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the request that the New York City Department of Transportation review the parking and standing regulations on West 56th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas.