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Consents & Variances

February 2010, Consents & Variances Committee

Application for a newsstand located on the SEC of East 48th Street & 5th Avenue

WHEREAS, The applicant is proposing a newsstand on the southeast corner (SEC) of East 48^th Street and 5^th Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The proposed newsstand would create a visual blight along the Fifth Avenue corridor in violation of CB5's Moratorium on newsstands and other street furniture along 5^th Avenue from 34^th Street to 59^th Street; and

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

WHEREAS, Safety is a crucial concern for Community Board Five, with 2,000 pedestrians having been killed in motor vehicle accidents on the streets of New York City in the past 12 years and on average about 35 pedestrians being struck by motor vehicles in NYC everyday; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five recognizes that the 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 SEC of East 48^th Street and 5^th Avenue; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five urges DOT to proceed with the pedestrian count at the location during rush hour (4 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 40 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.