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Parks & Public Spaces
Application # 3681-2017-ASWC -- 910 Seventh Ave Restaurant LLC for a new unenclosed sidewalk café at 910 7th Avenue, featuring 4 tables and 16 chairs
WHEREAS, 910 7th Avenue Restaurant LLC ("Applicant") is applying for a new small unenclosed sidewalk café license at 910 7th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Applicant came before Community Board Five's Parks & Public Spaces Committee last month, and the application was deferred to gather more community input and facts; and
WHEREAS, The sidewalk in question has a width of 33 feet, and the proposed café would occupy a space totaling 6 feet in width (including the area dedicated for table service, although there will be no barriers erected), and will have 4 tables and 16 chairs, not only meeting but exceeding all of the requirements for unobstructed pedestrian traffic according to DCA regulations; and
WHEREAS, Proposed operating hours will not be later than 10:00pm Monday through Saturday nights; and
WHEREAS, The proposed café will have no amplified sound whatsoever; and
WHEREAS, Applicant is a neighborhood business who has widespread support in the community; and
WHEREAS, Due diligence revealed additional issues and concerns related to the sidewalk and subway entrance at and near the proposed location that warrant further attention so that best use of this public space can be realized, specifically:
I. That the MTA flush grill running the length of the block does not accommodate the heels of many shoes;
II. That the temporary bus stops on 7th Avenue between 57th & 56th Streets might be returned to this location by DOT, which is not in the interest of the community;
III. That a bike rental shop adjacent to the location is illegally blocking the sidewalk, interfering with foot traffic, and is otherwise a bad actor in the community;
IV. That food carts and trucks are routinely compromising the curbside space on this block; and
WHEREAS, While community opinion on the proposed café is divided, with neighboring residential buildings coming out both in support and opposition, those in opposition were largely concerned with the overall use of the sidewalk, and the many factors at work in obstructing this public space, as noted above; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five believes these concerns must be addressed, but does not believe they are cause to deny support of Applicant, who is proposing a fully compliant and modest operation; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by 910 Seventh Ave Restaurant LLC for a new unenclosed sidewalk café at 910 7th Avenue, featuring 4 tables and 16 chairs, with the condition that a review of operations and impact of this café be conducted annually for the next two years until the application requires renewal, with the first such hearing to take place in March of 2018; and be it further
RESOLVED, Community Board Five requests that the MTA consider installing flush grills with the smallest available openings on this stretch of sidewalk; and be it further
RESOLVED, Community Board Five requests that DOT consider retaining the current location of the temporary bus stop on 7th Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets, and not return it to the location in question; and be it further
RESOLVED, Community Board Five requests of the NYPD proper enforcement of all laws relative to obstructing the sidewalk in the affected area, including proper siting of food carts, trucks and rental bicycles; and be it further
RESOLVED, Community Board Five requests of DCA a review of licenses for food carts and trucks and the regulations regarding their siting in transportation hub areas.