C4 C6 C7 C8 M1 M2 M3

(a)        The City Planning Commission may permit arenas, auditoriums or stadiums with a capacity in excess of 2,500 seats, or trade expositions with a rated capacity in excess of 2,500 persons, provided that the following findings are made:

(1)        that the principal vehicular access for such use is not located on a local street but is located on an arterial highway, a major street or a secondary street within one-quarter mile of an arterial highway or major street;

(2)        that such use is so located as to draw a minimum of vehicular traffic to and through local streets in nearby residential areas;

(3)        that such use is not located within 200 feet of a Residence District;

(4)        that adequate reservoir space at the vehicular entrance, and sufficient vehicular entrances and exits, are provided to prevent traffic congestion;

(5)        that vehicular entrances and exits for such use are provided separately and are located not less than 100 feet apart; and

(6)        that due consideration has been given to the proximity of bus and rapid transit facilities to serve such use.

(b)        In Community District 7 in the Borough of the Bronx, the Commission may permit an indoor arena with a maximum seating capacity of 6,000 within 200 feet of a Residence District and, in conjunction with such arena, permit modifications of the provisions of Sections 32-64 (Surface Area and Illumination Provisions), 32-655 (Height of signs in all other Commercial Districts), and 36-62 (Required Accessory Off-street Loading Berths), provided that:

(1)        the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(4), (a)(5) and (a)(6) of this Section are met;

(2)        open space surrounding such arena will be located and arranged to provide adequate pedestrian gathering areas to minimize disruption to the surrounding areas;

(3)        the arena includes noise attenuation features and measures which serve to reduce arena-related noise in the surrounding area, including at nearby residences;

(4)        where Sections 32-64 and 32-655 are modified, a signage plan has been submitted showing the location, size, height and illumination of all signs on the zoning lot, and the Commission finds that all such signs, and any illumination from or directed upon such signs, are located and arranged so as to minimize any negative effects from the arena use on nearby residences; and

(5)        where Section 36-62 is modified, a loading plan has been submitted that addresses the operational needs of all servicers of the arena and shows the number, location and arrangement of all loading berths on the zoning lot, and the Commission finds that such loading plan is adequate to address the loading demand generated by the arena use and has received assurances that the arena operator will implement such plan in accordance with its terms.

(c)        In the Pennsylvania Station Subarea B4 of the Farley Corridor Subdistrict B of the Special Hudson Yards District, the Commission may permit arenas with seating in excess of 2,500 persons, provided that the following findings are made:

(1)        the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(6) of this Section are met; and

(2)            the proposed loading for the arena will not unduly: interfere with the use of public spaces; interfere with transit facilities; interrupt the flow of pedestrian traffic in the pedestrian circulation network; or interfere with the efficient functioning of adjacent streets including for the staging or queuing of vehicles for loading or for security checks. An application for this special permit shall include a loading operations plan that describes the number, location and arrangement of all loading berths on the zoning lot as well as the location and management of off-site storage and staging of vehicles associated with the arena use. The plan shall be referred to the Department of Transportation and affected transit agencies for a report or recommendations on the plan. The Commission shall, in its determination, give due consideration to these reports and recommendations.

            The Commission may require that, within six months of approval of the special permit, the applicant submit to the Chairperson of the City Planning Commission a transportation management plan, developed in consultation with the Department of City Planning and the Department of Transportation, to detail the loading operations plan.

            The Chairperson shall certify that the loading operations, as described in the transportation management plan, comply with the relevant conditions of the Commission’s resolution.

The Commission may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards to minimize adverse effects on the character of the surrounding area, including limitations on signs, requirements for soundproofing of arenas or auditoriums, shielding of floodlights, screening of open uses or surfacing all access roads or driveways. The Commission may also prescribe requirements for pedestrian-accessible open areas surrounding the arena, auditorium or stadium, including accessory directional or building identification signs located therein. In addition, within Pennsylvania Station Subarea B4 of the Special Hudson Yards District, design changes to existing plazas located within such pedestrian-accessible open areas may be made without a certification by the Chairperson of the Commission pursuant to Section 37-625, and the design standards of Section 37-70, inclusive, shall not apply to such plazas.