Zinc Bar ordered to remove seating from tree pit; board demands corrected scaled plans

At the May 12 working group hearing Alexander, who runs Zinc Bar, described a long history of street dining and said staff and family maintain a cherished tree pit outside the business. Board members replied that, under Dining Out NYC rules, the amenity (tree‑pit) zone is reserved for city uses and is not available for permanent or habitual seating; they stressed that seating there sets a precedent and often obstructs pedestrian flow.

Board concerns and required fixes: members asked Zinc to remove any seating or fixed benches in the amenity zone, to correct a missing parking/checkbox on the DOT site plan and to resubmit a scaled diagram in which the seating layout reflects the narrowed roadway‑café width (the Fire Department previously required a reduction to about 6½ ft in one location). The board also asked the applicant to confirm that tree protection was not being used to justify unauthorized seating and requested that the applicant coordinate with DOT on thermoplastic markings or other pavement treatments if required.

Applicant response and next steps: the owner accepted the requirement to remove amenity‑zone seating and said he would resubmit corrected plans. The working group issued a denial‑with‑modifications pending those revisions and asked staff to fast‑track reconsideration once compliant materials (accurate scaled diagram and confirmation that amenity seating has been removed) are submitted.