Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Permitting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Algo Diamond panel approves most sidewalk-cafe applications, denies two after resident complaints
Summary
The Algo Diamond Working Group on June 9 recommended approval of most sidewalk- and roadway-cafe applications with technical modifications but denied two applications after residents described noise, safety and sidewalk-clearance problems adjacent to enclosed sidewalk cafes and residential entrances.
The Algo Diamond Working Group on June 9 recommended approval of the majority of nine sidewalk- and roadway-cafe applications but voted to deny two after residents raised safety, noise and clearance concerns.
Stella Fitzgerald, vice chair of the working group, opened the meeting and said the panel would take public testimony for each application before moving to a business session to issue advisory recommendations to DOT and other agencies.
Why it matters: the committee’s recommendations are advisory to DOT and other agencies, but they guide whether installations go forward and what conditions will be required (perimeter demarcation, ADA changes, tree-bed clearances and, in some cases, FDNY review).
In the business session the committee’s recorded recommendations were: Little Branch (27th Avenue LLC) — approve with ADA modifications; Molinari/7th Avenue (the application tied to an existing enclosed sidewalk cafe) — deny with modifications and request DOT clarification on whether the enclosed footprint must be included when measuring clear path; PAR Avon Group LLC (Nightingale, 37 Carmine Street) — deny with modifications after a letter from a neighbor and SLA conditions indicating no outdoor service for the licensed term; Blank Street Coffee (80 University) — approve with modifications; Carmela NYC (10 Fifth Avenue) — approve with modifications pending submission of an updated site plan; Starbucks (17th Avenue) — approve with modifications (add perimeter demarcation, verify tree-bed clearances and a five-foot clearance from a primary building entrance); a roadway cafe at 142 Sullivan Street was referred to FDNY and flagged for waiver review.
The committee repeatedly asked applicants to add a clear, removable perimeter and to verify circulation so all customer activity remains inside the perimeter. For some applications the committee recommended removal or relocation of planters when planters interfered with required walking paths.
What comes next: the committee’s recommendations will be transmitted to DOT and, where applicable, FDNY and the State Liquor Authority for final action. Several applicants were asked to submit revised site plans to staff (Florence) before DOT review.
Votes at a glance: the working group recorded approvals and denials as advisory recommendations; where the transcript recorded a tally the panel confirmed a five-member affirmative majority for approvals noted as "all in favor."
