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Consents & Variances

Newsstand application # 1433288, NWC Park Avenue South and 19th Street

WHEREAS, The applicant seeks a permit to install and operate a newsstand on NWC of Park avenue South and 19th Street, and

WHEREAS, The applicant's measurements and schematic drawings are incorrect and are not compliant with DCA regulations; and

WHEREAS, The sidewalk at the proposed location is 14' 6" in width; and

WHEREAS, With 1' 6" between the curb and the newsstand plus 5' of space for the newsstand itself; there is only 8' of space left for pedestrian passage; and

WHEREAS, 9' 6" of pedestrian space is required by the DCA, making this application non-compliant; and

WHEREAS, The applicant's drawing shows different measurements, but is incorrect; and

WHEREAS, The proposed location is directly in front of a bank which blocks the banks windows and obstructs the view into the bank; and

WHEREAS, The bank manager and other employees have expressed that this obstruction creates a potentially dangerous situation; and

WHEREAS, The proposed location is on Park Avenue South which is a visual corridor and is subject to the scrutiny of the Design Commission; and

WHEREAS, Pedestrian traffic is quite heavy on Park Avenue South, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours; and

WHEREAS, The applicant was invited, but failed to appear at a regularly scheduled meeting and failed to address these and other questions and concerns that CB5 has about this application; therefore be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five finds that the proposed newsstand is not compliant with the required DCA regulation and creates a potentially dangerous visual obstruction and therefore Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to install a newsstand on NWC of Park Avenue South and 19th Street; and be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board Five urges DOT to proceed with the pedestrian counts at this location on any weekday between 5pm and 6pm.

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

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