During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the outdoor dining working group's handling of applications for sidewalk and roadway cafes. A resident of West 10th Street expressed distress over a specific application for a roadway cafe that could potentially compromise emergency access on a narrow street already burdened with a police precinct, bus lane, and fire station.

The resident highlighted that the Department of Transportation (DOT) had requested a waiver from the emergency travel lane, which would reduce the lane width to just nine feet. This revelation came during a public hearing where the resident questioned the process behind such waivers. It was confirmed that the DOT initiated the request, raising alarms about the potential for similar waivers affecting other narrow streets in the neighborhood.

The resident emphasized the importance of maintaining emergency access, stating a preference for fire engines over outdoor dining, and called for greater community involvement in the waiver process. The meeting also touched on the procedural aspects of how applications are reviewed, with assurances that each application is treated individually.

As discussions continue, community members are eager for clarity on their ability to participate in the waiver process and ensure that public safety remains a priority amidst the growing trend of outdoor dining.