NOTE: Throughout 2023, Chelsea Community News will be expanding into new areas of coverage, whose concerns overlap with those of our namesake neighborhood.  Part  of that commitment involves a closer look at the work being done by Manhattan Community Board 5. Below, find a primer on CB5 and its various committees.

BY SCOTT STIFFLER | CB5’s area of coverage is, as stated on their website (click here to visit), “New York’s central business district. It encompasses some of the city’s most iconic destinations: Times Square, the Theater District, the Garment District, Herald Square, Flatiron, Union Square and more.” The Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall, Bryant Park, Madison Square Garden, and Columbus Circle “all fall within our district,” they note, “as well as two of the region’s transportation hubs, Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station.”

That last destination puts CB5 in the thick of debate surrounding a plan being pushed by NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul that would demolish the neighborhood around Penn Station and cede the newly razed area to Vornado Realty Trust (whose ambitions for a multi-tower, vertical presence in the area will–according to the ill-defined plan–result in a financial windfall allowing for much-needed upgrades to Penn Station).

Looming large within that plan: The future of Madison Square Garden, which seeks to stay put. Those opposed to the plan say MSG, which enjoys tax-free status, must move to make way for a truly world-class, above-ground Penn Station (with Vornado’s towers nowhere to be found).

Wednesday, February 22’s CB5 Land Use, Housing & Zoning committee takes up the matter of MSG’s request for a special permit that would allow the facility to continue to function as a sports and entertainent arena.  The last time this matter was up for review, MSG sought the special permit in perpetuity; they were given 10 years. So too, this time, does MSG seek perpetuity–so we shall see. As for Wednesday, expect pointed questions from CB5 committee members, as well as members of the public–many of whom view Hochul’s plan as a literal land grab (eminent domain would be invoked, landmarks demolished, and residents/businesses displaced).

NOTE: All CB5 meetings are being held via Zoom. You must register to attend and can then participate and comment at the meeting. Livestream the meetings or view their archived recordings after the fact, via the CB5 YouTube Channel.

LANDMARKS COMMITTEE

Reviews applications to grant landmark status to buildings in the district. Also reviews proposals for alterations to landmarked buildings or buildings in historic districts.

Tuesday, February 21, 6pm

Register for this meeting HERE

On the Agenda:

—An application for awning installation at 1155 Broadway

—An application for the proposed addition of a non-visible rooftop addition to 222 Fifth Avenue

—New Business

LAND USE, HOUSING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Reviews applications for projects that are not “as-of-right” according to the city’s zoning resolution, such as requests for special permits and variances.

Wednesday, February 22, 6pm

Register for this meeting HERE

On the Agenda:

—The NYC Department of City Planning gives a presentation on an Arena Text Amendment referred with Madison Square Garden’s desire for a new special permit that will (unlike the previous 10-year arrangement) allow them to stay at their present location in an open-ended arrangement.

—CB5 will review MSG Arena LLC’s application for a new special permit pursuant to ZR Section 74-41 in order to continue operations of the Madison Square Garden arena (located in CB5’s area of coverage). In conjunction with this application, the City is proposing a text amendment to the Section 74-41 arena special permit to update the findings.

—New Business.

TRANSPORTATION & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Reviews issues related to the district’s transportation infrastructure: how people move within, into and out of the district and city. Monitors environmental policies.

Thursday, February 23, 6pm

Note: Thursday date for this month due to President’s Day Holiday

Register for this meeting HERE

On the Agenda:

—Monroe Bus is applying for an inter-city bus stop on the east side of Eighth Ave. btw. W. 46th & 47th Sts. The bus stop would be shared with Big Bus and the Gray Line sightseeing company with four morning drop-offs and three afternoon daily pick-ups Monday-Thursday and one pick-up/drop-off on Friday.

—CB5 will consider Aurora Tourism’s application for a sightseeing bus stop on the west side of Seventh Ave. btw. W. 56th & 57th Sts. This is an existing bus stop; Aurora would have daily pick-ups and drop-offs Monday-Sunday, every two hours, 8am-6pm.

—Taxi Tours is applying for a sightseeing bus stop on Eighth Ave. btw. W. 55th & 56th Sts. This is an existing bus stop, and it will be shared with Gray Line. Taxi Tours would have daily pick-ups and drop-offs Monday-Sunday, every 15 minutes, 8am-6pm.

—New Business.

PARKS & PUBLIC SPACES COMMITTEE

Reviews applications for the use and maintenance of the district’s parks and pedestrian plazas. Also reviews issues that relate to public spaces, such as sidewalk cafe applications and newsstand applications.

Monday, February 27, 6pm

Agenda TBD

Register for this meeting here

BUDGET, EDUCATION & CITY SERVICES: Tuesday, February 28, 6pm   

Register for this meeting here

Agenda TBD

LAND USE, HOUSING & ZONING

Reviews applications for projects that are not “as-of-right” according to the city’s zoning resolution, such as requests for special permits and variances.

 Wednesday, March 1, 5pm

Register for this meeting HERE

On the Agenda

—1345 Sixth Ave., Application by 1345 Leasehold LLC for a Chair certification to facilitate two Open Air Cafes located in a POPS at 1345 Sixth Ave. in Midtown.

—1185 Broadway, Application by RP 1185 LLC pursuant to ZR 37-73 to allow an open-air cafe within a new plaza in the NoMad neighborhood.

—31 W. 52nd St., Application requesting a Chair certification pursuant to 37-73(c) to facilitate an open-air café at 31 W. 52nd St., Fogo de Chao. This will be the third renewal.

—New Business

STATE LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE

Reviews liquor license applications for establishments in the district and other state license applications. Addresses quality of life concerns regarding licensed establishments that are already operating in the district. 

Wednesday, March 1, 6pm

Register for this meeting here

Agenda TBD

PUBLIC HEARING/FULL BOARD MEETING: Thursday, March 9, 6pm

Registration Link & Agenda TBA

–END–

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