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Community Board 11 denies two open‑streets/street‑activity permit requests after applicants fail to appear; concerns raised about notice and agency coordination
Summary
At its June 22 meeting the Transportation Committee denied two street activity permit requests for failure of applicants to attend, reviewed several other open‑streets applications, and heard public complaints about distribution of DOT notice letters and inconsistent documentation reaching the committee.
Community Board 11's Transportation Committee reviewed a list of open‑streets and street activity permit applications on June 22 and voted to deny two requests after their organizers did not appear at the committee meeting.
Hazel Murea moved to deny the Ambassadors for Christ and the Grand Street summer bash applications for failure to appear; the motion was seconded and the committee carried the motion. "I make a motion that we deny these two... for lack of them showing up to the committee meeting," Murea said during the discussion.
The committee heard about several applications that had long histories of repeat renewals and a set of new or provisionally approved requests (for example, Barker Avenue, which received provisional support and lists of community partners). Speakers enumerated sponsoring neighborhood organizations and precinct endorsements for Barker Avenue and described planned free activities for children and families.
A letter from Reverend Robert Bado (pastor of Our Lady of Solace and St. Dominic) led to a request that one Yemen heritage celebration application remain pending: the pastor asked organizers and the permitting agency to avoid loud features that would "intrude impiously on the church's worship service," and the committee said it will follow up with the applicant and staff before any vote.
Public notification concerns: multiple attendees raised procedural objections about notice. Public commenter Roxan said a DOT notice dated May 24 had apparently not reached some committee members, and that a June 22 re‑notice was distributed in the afternoon; Roxan asked staff to confirm distribution and ensure the mandated public comment window is respected. Committee staff said they would check email forwarding and the distribution list and report back.
Process and enforcement: members discussed how parade permits (handled by NYPD) differ from street closures and street activity applications that come to the board and noted requirements (for example, necessary resident signatures for block parties and egress/FDNY access provisions for multi‑block events). Staff reiterated that inspectors check setups for compliance and may deny permits found in violation during events.
What happens next: applications missing information were held to secure supporting materials or signatures. The two applications denied for nonappearance may reapply in the future; staff will follow up with applicants that did not attend and will circulate missing paperwork to committee members. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.
