What to Know
The New York City Council will decide on Thursday whether curbside dining will be a permanent program as this rule, which has spread not only in the Big Apple but in many area cities, was created as a pathway to keep restaurants afloat during the pandemic. However, post-pandemic, there are those who feel that it is no longer a necessary measure and that this rule has complicated the flow of traffic. After a year and a half of thoughtful discussions, Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez (D-13 Bronx) will meet with other colleagues to decide the future of Int 031-C, also known as the “Outdoor Dining” bill.
NEW YORK — The New York City Council will decide Thursday whether curbside dining will be a permanent program as this rule, which has spread not just in the Big Apple but in many area cities, was created as a temporary avenue to keep restaurants afloat during the pandemic.
However, after the pandemic, there are those who consider that it is no longer a necessary measure and that this rule has complicated the flow of traffic.
The pandemic-era iteration of the “Restaurants Open” program has proven to have saved thousands of jobs and businesses throughout New York City, and the updated legislation presents a stronger program that overcomes three major hurdles for restaurant owners: 1 ) cost, 2) red tape in the application process, and 3) zoning restrictions in outer districts.
After a year and a half of thoughtful conversations, Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez (D-13 Bronx) will meet with other colleagues to decide the future of Int 031-C, also known as the “Outdoor Dining” bill.
The bill to introduce 031-C and make sidewalk restaurants permanent includes:
Allow sidewalk cafes to operate year-round and, for the first time, allow street cafes to operate permanently for most of the year, specifically the 8 warmest months from April to November. Reduce costs for restaurants to participate in the outdoor dining program, compared to the licensing and revocable consent process for outdoor dining prior to the pandemic. Reduce the processes and timelines required for restaurants to receive approval from city agencies and entities. Along with Council-approved zoning changes in 2022, allow more neighborhoods and restaurants within them to be eligible to participate in outdoor dining than the previous sidewalk cafe program before the pandemic. Allow restaurants to continue outdoor dining operations, even after this local law goes into effect, as long as they apply for a license and submit a revocable consent petition on or before the date established by the Department of Transportation (DOT) . which cannot be less than three months after the entry into force of the regulations. Establish DOT as the agency to administer sidewalk and street cafe licenses and enforce rules regarding their operation, in ongoing coordination with other City agencies.
The Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection will meet to vote on the “Outdoor Dining” bill on Thursday, before it is introduced and voted on by the full New York City Council later that day.
2023-08-03 15:44:40
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