Q&A
Council member raises concerns about Wings And Seafood's outdoor dining application
0:16:41
·
7 min
Council Member Robert F. Holden expresses concerns about Wings And Seafood's outdoor dining application, citing parking issues, illegal structures, and apparent lack of use of the outdoor space. Mr. Wang attempts to address these concerns and justify his application.
- Holden points out parking problems in the busy area and questions the need for both sidewalk and street dining
- The council member mentions an illegal structure attached to the building and an inflatable structure in the street
- Mr. Wang explains that the outdoor space is undergoing renovation and defends his compliance with city guidelines
- Holden recommends turning down the application, stating that the neighborhood doesn't want both sidewalk and street dining
Robert F. Holden
0:16:41
Do you understand the problems with the parking in the area?
0:16:44
Right?
0:16:45
Do you see that parking is there are very huge spots in that area.
0:16:49
It's near the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council.
0:16:52
There's a it's a very busy area.
0:16:55
Not only schools and parks, but you're taking up space in the street.
0:17:01
Now you wanna take up space in the sidewalk on the sidewalk.
0:17:04
So my my question is that you you received the summons from the Department of Buildings.
0:17:10
You added on to the building illegally.
0:17:13
Building a shed for the sidewalk cafe without checking with the billing department or without even going through the proper procedure.
0:17:22
You got a violation.
0:17:24
What do you tend intend to do with that structure since it is illegal?
0:17:28
That's attached to the building.
Mr. Wang
0:17:31
Thank you.
0:17:47
Street.
UNKNOWN
0:18:49
Okay.
Mr. Wang
0:19:29
In the beginning, I've getting approved from the city's guideline.
0:19:36
I had built up the street coffee and the construction everything has been done according to the approval and the guidelines from the city, but not out of my own wells.
0:19:52
So I just do follow whatever the instruct questions given to me regarding the structures building.
0:20:01
In terms of you mentioned that this is a very busy area.
0:20:06
I would like to point out that the busy area core area is by the 1st avenue, but not a specifically, my street.
0:20:16
The street I am all is less busy area.
0:20:21
So no matter what, if we got an approval from the city, I may be allowed to extend the the functioning use for another 4 years, which might have some, like, a conflict conflict with taking up the parking lot, which is, like, a com a conflict that I admit.
Robert F. Holden
0:20:50
Right.
0:20:50
But you're you're taking up valuable parking, and the structure that you have in the street I'm being told is not used in in 2022.
0:21:00
This is September of 2022.
0:21:03
I'll show the the committee.
0:21:05
I'll there is an inflatable structure taking up where where parking could be or where dining could be.
0:21:11
You you elected not to use it.
0:21:14
For dining.
0:21:14
You just you have this inflatable.
0:21:18
Now, what what's the purpose of this?
0:21:20
If you're not you don't need it for dining, apparently.
0:21:23
Doesn't look like it's being used.
0:21:25
So what was the purpose of this?
Mr. Wang
0:21:49
The
UNKNOWN
0:21:56
holy the whole life went to the tofu tied.
0:22:25
Went due to the fate of the period.
0:22:37
To you.
Mr. Wang
0:22:44
Okay.
0:22:46
This inflatable Outside, it's actually a tech call for soliciting the business in the beginning when we was approved to set up the outdoor side of cafe business.
0:23:04
Later on with the business winter app, well, I actually took it down.
0:23:12
So this doesn't have any, like, in danger of the area.
Robert F. Holden
0:23:20
Oh, again, it's illegal.
0:23:24
So adding to your building without a permit, with the billing department is illegal also.
0:23:30
But you're you say you need dining space, you need tables, and yet you don't use it in the street.
0:23:36
So that's why this application is suspect, and I would recommend that it be turned down.
0:23:42
The sidewalk cafe It's either the sidewalk cafe or not and or at least in my view or the street dining.
0:23:52
It can't for the neighborhood, and the neighborhood doesn't want both.
0:23:56
And that's what my constituents are telling me.
0:23:58
It's unnecessary.
0:23:59
And also, there's if you're going to abuse the system, then, again, why should we honor the application?
0:24:07
And it and it shows in the past you have he has abused, the applicant has abused the system.
0:24:12
Thank you, Jared.