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Community Board 2 recommends approvals with modifications for most outdoor‑dining applications, flags ADA and FDNY issues
Summary
At its April 14 meeting, Manhattan Community Board 2’s Outdoor Dining Working Group recommended approval with modifications for most sidewalk- and roadway-cafe applications but identified multiple ADA compliance and FDNY review concerns; one application was denied because it contradicted a prior Liquor Authority condition.
Stealth Fitzgerald, vice chair of the Manhattan Community Board 2 Outdoor Dining Working Group, said the panel heard 12 applications April 14 and that its recommendations to the Department of Transportation are advisory.
The group moved to approve most sidewalk- and roadway-cafe applications with written modifications that applicants must submit to DOT and the board’s office. Common modifications include: updated site plans that dimension clear pedestrian paths, labeled perimeter barriers, documentation about Siamese (sign) connections, and explicit marking of fire exits, ladders and cellar hatches. The board also required applicants to show how serving will occur inside the cafe perimeter so service staff need not step into the public clear path.
Committee members repeatedly emphasized ADA and DOT clear-path requirements. Carter Booth and Brian P. told multiple applicants that tables and perimeter barriers must leave the required accessible clearance (a minimum inside service width of 3 feet in many configurations and five feet from primary building entrances), and that manholes, Siamese connections, hydrants and signal poles must be shown and respected on plans.
The board also noted several applications were referred to the Fire Department (FDNY) for additional review because narrow travel lanes or parked cars reduced emergency access. For those roadway-cafe proposals, the committee instructed applicants to resolve labeling inconsistencies on their site plans and to confirm ramps or flooring choices.
One applicant — Fellini Meat Packing Corp. — received a recommendation for denial because the applicant previously told the State Liquor Authority it would not use outdoor seating; the board said that on public-record inconsistency it would deny the outdoor seating application but still forward suggested ADA modifications to DOT.
Next steps: applicants were told to submit revised drawings and requested documentation (including letters from building management when sign connections are claimed to be discontinued) to the CB2 office. The board will forward its advisory recommendations and any revised plans to DOT; DOT and FDNY retain final approval authority.
