Committee approves letter of no objection for Morris Park Inn outdoor dining application

At its March 19, 2025 meeting, the Bronx Community Board committee voted to send a letter of no objection for an outdoor dining (sidewalk café) application filed by the Morris Park Inn.

Board staff reported that the Morris Park Inn application appeared complete and that their contacts at the local precinct had no objections. Chris Gerica, a board staff member, said the application included photos showing both indoor and outdoor seating and described the proposed outdoor setup as open‑air seating separated from the public sidewalk by a low barrier and umbrellas. Gerica said the establishment has operated in the neighborhood for many years; when asked about business longevity he said, “Yes. More than 80 years now.”

Several gallery commenters said they had dined at the Morris Park Inn and had not observed public‑safety problems tied to its operations. One resident who identified themself as Kaye said, “I’ve dined there. I attended a fundraiser there. They’re usually, like, very respectful of the community.” Another caller, who identified themself by a phone number, also spoke in favor of Morris Park Inn’s conduct.

After discussion, the committee moved to send a letter of no objection to the appropriate city agency (the application references New York City Department of Transportation sidewalk café procedures). A committee member seconded the motion (recorded as “Second by Prado” in the transcript), and the motion passed. The committee will present the item to the full board as scheduled.

The committee noted that if the application included any future modifications or community objections, it could revisit its recommendation.