Q&A
Council Member Holden questions Cozy Corner sidewalk cafe application
0:17:05
·
4 min
Council Member Robert F. Holden expresses concerns about the Cozy Corner sidewalk cafe application, particularly regarding parking issues and safety in the area. The applicant, Zef Gjini, defends the application, leading to a disagreement about the impact on the neighborhood.
- Holden raises issues about parking, fire department access, and the narrowness of the street
- Gjini argues that parking is a citywide problem and that they have followed all rules
- The discussion ends without a resolution, with Holden stating he will not approve the application as is
Robert F. Holden
0:17:05
Yes.
0:17:05
Thank you for your testimony.
0:17:08
Why do you need both?
0:17:09
Why do you need the street?
0:17:11
Because you know the the the problems of parking there.
0:17:14
Now chair, I I wanna just talk about the parking in the area.
0:17:19
The fire department has told me over and over again.
0:17:21
They can't find the fire hydrant.
0:17:23
People are parking at the hydrants.
0:17:25
People are parking on the corners.
0:17:27
The applicant knows this.
0:17:29
The applicant knows that people are parking everywhere.
0:17:32
He's got a corner that he's taking up the street parking, and and it's hard to maneuver on on that corner and make the turns.
0:17:41
He says he reduced this space, but I don't I don't see.
0:17:44
I don't I wouldn't oppose your sidewalk cafe, if you just gave up the street, you know, actually he's dining in the street, which is a it's a very narrow street, by the way.
0:17:55
And if anybody goes there, you can see it.
0:17:58
You and I'm sorry I don't have photographs, but if you look at it, it's it's so narrow that, again, trucks and deliver you know, and and fire and sanitation, they do have a problem.
0:18:11
Even though the applicant says they've he's an hour at it.
0:18:14
It's still a problem.
0:18:15
It's a very, very narrow street.
0:18:17
So I don't see why you need both.
0:18:19
You need you want the sidewalk cafe, and you want the street.
0:18:23
So I would, again, want an agreement from you that you'll give up the street, and then I think we can talk about approving the sidewalk cafe, but I think both is and, again, I'd rather see the street application just not go through because that is a very dangerous, narrow corner.
0:18:47
It's not all about profit.
0:18:49
It's about safety, and it's also about being reasonable.
0:18:54
So, again, that's why I think that the you know it's an hour street.
0:18:59
You know that parking is at a premium.
0:19:01
You know it's a mixed use area.
0:19:03
It's not only commercial.
0:19:04
It's residential, mostly residential.
0:19:06
So that's why I I have a huge problem with both.
0:19:10
Both will just create again, what I mentioned before, a situation that endangers everyone.
0:19:16
Thank you.
Zef Gjini
0:19:20
Yeah.
0:19:20
It's you see when you you mentioned the pump, I don't think there is any you you are a new city.
0:19:26
It's a narrow street.
0:19:28
It's one way street, and but when it comes to parking on a pump on a crosswalk, I mean, I don't know how you can stop people by doing that.
0:19:39
You can even you can even tell work from the log line where the 5 foot the handicap is, you know, the how sidewalk, you cannot tell people to stand to not stand in there either.
0:19:50
So it's kinda hard to control, to tell people, oh, don't park on a fire hydrant, don't park on a crosswalk.
0:19:58
It's it's kinda it's kinda hard because it's gonna say, you know what?
0:20:02
7911.
0:20:03
Let let my car tow.
0:20:08
And when it comes to the roadside, we just we follow in all the rules so far.
0:20:14
We went from eight feet to six foot.
0:20:20
And I think it's why not have another 13 cable in there?
Kevin C. Riley
0:20:30
Alright.
0:20:31
Thank you.
0:20:31
Cosmo, do you have any more questions?
Robert F. Holden
0:20:34
No.
0:20:34
But it it sounds like the applicant's not willing to or he wants both.
0:20:40
And, again, that's why I will not approve the sidewalk cafe because, again, it's too much.
0:20:47
It's too much for a mixed use area, too much for residential, too much for an hour street, and you're adding to the parking problem.
0:20:54
Even though you you won't admit it, you are adding to the park parking problem by dining in the street.
0:21:00
And, again, I just don't get the unwillingness to negotiate a little bit.
0:21:04
So if you don't, then one's gotta go.
0:21:07
Thank you, chair.
Kevin C. Riley
0:21:09
Thank you.
Zef Gjini
0:21:10
Yep.
0:21:10
It's New York City.
0:21:11
Parkland is the problem everywhere.
Robert F. Holden
0:21:13
Right.
0:21:13
Okay.
Zef Gjini
0:21:14
What do you expect?
0:21:15
Is New York City?
0:21:16
Parkland is the big issue.
0:21:18
How about the bike lanes?
0:21:20
It's bikes everywhere.
Kevin C. Riley
0:21:24
Are you are you finished, Zeph?
Zef Gjini
0:21:27
Yes.
0:21:27
I'm finished.
Kevin C. Riley
0:21:28
Alright.
0:21:28
Thank you.
0:21:29
Any customers have any questions for this panel?
0:21:33
Alright.
0:21:33
Bear with me no more questions for this panel.
0:21:35
This panel is now SKUs, counsel, then the members of the public court to testify on this application?
UNKNOWN
0:21:42
No, sir.
0:21:42
Neither online nor in person.
Kevin C. Riley
0:21:44
There being no members of the public court to testify on LU 155 regarding the cozy corner sidewalk Cafe application.
0:21:50
The public hearing is not closed.
0:21:51
And the item is laid over.
