Manhattan City committee reviews multiple liquor-license applications, flags FDNY/DOT roadbed waiver issues

Donna, chair of the Manhattan City Community Board liquor-licensing committee, opened the meeting and said the panel would hear applicants, take public comment and issue stipulations or recommendations.

The committee reviewed applications for roughly a dozen on-premise and previously-unlicensed locations, heard public comment on at least one neighborhood restaurant, and repeatedly raised a separate administrative issue: whether Department of Transportation (DOT) street-use approvals and Fire Department of New York (FDNY) emergency-lane waivers are sufficiently coordinated to allow roadway dining on narrow blocks.

The committee's process and immediate outcomes

Committee chair Donna (identified in the transcript as the meeting chair) explained the procedure at the start of the meeting: applicants present at a podium, committee questions, public comment, and then applicant responses. The committee said it will send stipulations (written conditions) to applicants that generally cover hours, no DJs/live music, limits on outdoor service and other neighborhood protections.

Several applicants presented basic operating plans and received the committee's standard follow-ups and promises of stipulations. Examples included: - Lab 2 Restaurant (88 West Street): owner Chi Minh Leung described a sushi-focused operation with about 20 seats (10 at the sushi counter and five tables) and Thursday–Saturday service generally running noon to 11:30 p.m.; the committee said the office will send stipulations reflecting the hours and other controls. - PST Health LLC doing business as Lifetime Natural Market (408 Sixth Avenue): Sasha Barnett represented a plan to open a second-floor dining area for about 48 diners with last seating around 8 p.m. and patrons out by roughly 10 p.m.; the committee requested the applicant bring the final operating details and noted the applicant's representative should ensure the owner appears if needed. - Pura (Poor) Foods LLC (ramen): attorney Samuel Ahn said the premises is roughly 2,000 square feet with about 45 seats, a nine-seat bar and a menu with ramen in a $14–$16 price range; hours…