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Gale A. Brewer explains her 'aye' vote on outdoor dining program
0:05:58
·
3 min
Council Member Gale A. Brewer votes 'aye' on the proposed outdoor dining program bill (Intro 31-C) while expressing several concerns and hopes for future improvements. She emphasizes the importance of upcoming rule-making processes and the need to address various issues related to the program's implementation.
- Brewer highlights concerns about residential vs. commercial area treatment, noise issues, operating hours, and cost structures, especially in Manhattan.
- She mentions the need for proper storage solutions for outdoor dining equipment and the fate of current roadside sheds.
- Brewer predicts that restaurants may pay more in the future and that the program's structure may change, but acknowledges its importance for businesses and the community.
Gale A. Brewer
0:05:58
I vote aye, but I wanna say a couple of things.
0:06:01
First of all, you know, I know it's a lot of work to pull this off.
0:06:05
I also know that, there are going to be rule makings, and I also hope the DOT will have enough staff to implement.
0:06:14
And the rule making should include everybody who's supportive or not supportive to get their points across.
0:06:21
I know that in a lot of areas there's concern about residential versus commercial, that they're treated the same.
0:06:27
I know that in many cases, there's a feeling that it is too dense that, residentials, as I said, should not be treated like commercial because the residential areas, at least in Manhattan, are so dense.
0:06:41
And I know that there's a constant discussion if you live above a cafe, particularly if it's roadside, but sometimes if it's on the sidewalk, that there is a noise issue.
0:06:51
And again, rule making, how long will outdoor dining be permitted?
0:06:55
Till midnight, or better, till ten p m, which is when non construction quiet hours are many to stop at.
0:07:03
And I think there's an issue for cost.
0:07:05
I'm concerned because I don't I want Manhattan not to be penalized because we live in Manhattan.
0:07:10
There are plenty of small restaurants that should be paying less, I think, although others think they should pay more.
0:07:15
So the whole issue of cost leased in Manhattan.
0:07:17
We pay the commercial rent tax.
0:07:19
And a lot of these restaurants from, Murray up to 90 Sixth Street pay an increased tax that other localities do not.
0:07:27
I'm also concerned between the April, November, where in the months that you're not having your outdoor road or outside, you choose to do that, where you're gonna store that table, chair, or anything else?
0:07:43
And something I've been bringing up, when the current, roadside sheds are taken down, which I think they will be at some point, where does all of that, in some case, beautiful wood and other amenities go?
0:07:57
Does it go to the landfill, or can we find a best use elsewhere?
0:08:02
So I think that this is a still a bill in the making in terms of the future because rule making will determine many of the specifics.
0:08:11
I do know that we want to have a city, particularly in the community boards one, two, 30 two and five.
0:08:17
There's ones.
0:08:18
I'm in six.
0:08:20
I certainly have people who are very against any continuation of anything.
0:08:24
And then you have people who understand the restaurants have to make a living.
0:08:28
So I will predict that in the future these restaurants will pay more because they don't pay anything now, and the difference in terms of, the structure may not be as amenable to the public because it won't actually be something that you might feel safe sitting in.
0:08:44
On the other hand, if it is good for your business plan and it's the right for the community, you might wanna go forward.
0:08:51
So it's, as I said, a a bill in the making.
0:08:55
I vote aye, but, much details have to be worked out.
0:09:00
Thank you very much.