CB2 outdoor-dining panel issues conditional approvals, presses DOT/FDNY referrals and enforcement after wide noncompliance

Manhattan Community Board 2(Community Board 2) outdoor-dining working group met in a hybrid session and moved a package of sidewalk- and roadway-cafe applications with a mix of conditional approvals and denials while flagging recurring compliance and enforcement problems.

The committee acted on applications for sidewalk or roadway cafes at multiple Lower Manhattan restaurants, approving several "with modifications" (the committee—s wording) and marking other items for re-referral or further review. Committee members repeatedly asked applicants to submit corrected site plans showing service routes, primary building entrances and 5-foot clearances, to remove unauthorized structures and to supply missing DOT referrals or FDNY waiver confirmations before the permits proceed.

Why it matters: The working group—s advisory sign-offs are a required step in DOT and SLA reviews for outdoor dining. Several applicants told the committee they had relied on prior seasonal setups or on earlier DOT guidance; the board emphasized that submitted plans must match the in-place conditions and that noncompliant winter enclosures, speakers and other permanent fixtures undermine public-safety and ADA standards.

What the committee decided - The panel approved or advanced multiple applications, usually as "approval with modifications" or "conditional denial" (committee language) that requires applicants to deliver corrected plans or fixes. Notable outcomes included conditional actions on the applications for Grata Azura (177 Mulberry Street), Si Di Paolo / CD Paulo (151 Mott Street), Local (144 Sullivan Street), 1 Tiger / South Soho Bar (1 Howard Street), Malatesta (649 Washington/Christopher), Anton—s (570 Hudson) and Common Ground (603 Greenwich). One roadway submission (San Sabino at 113 Greenwich) was not acted on because DOT had not re-referred the complete application; the committee asked staff to request immediate re-referral.

- The panel specifically ordered corrections that will be part of any approval: add north arrows and storefront dimensions; show all doors used for service on plans; mark the required 5-foot clearances from primary building entrances (and from Siamese fire-service connections where applicable); indicate perimeter demarcation and make clear how service will be performed without stepping into the public clear path.

Committee members and applicants who spoke Valerie Dela Rosa, chair of this working group, ran the meeting and opened and closed each application call-up. Stella Fitzgerald (vice chair), Donna Raftery (CB2 SLA chair), Brian Pape (committee member), Arturo Fernandez (land-use member) and Carter Booth (former CB2 chair) participated in questioning and votes. Applicants and witnesses included Frank Castellano (Grata Azura), Lou DiPaolo (DiPaolo/Si Di Paolo),…