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Q&A
Council member Brewer inquires about simplifying the application process
1:00:52
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153 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer initiates a discussion on simplifying the paperwork and application process for outdoor dining permits. She asks about potential modifications to reduce problems for applicants and mentions the importance of in-person assistance.
- Panel members acknowledge the complexity of the current process
- The need for simplification in language and paperwork requirements is emphasized
- The discussion touches on community board involvement and the revocable consent process
Gale A. Brewer
1:00:52
My first question is just in terms of you've talked about the problems in terms of paperwork.
1:00:59
Obviously, as the chairman has suggested, it would be good to go to a real person.
1:01:04
That is incredibly important for everybody, I think.
1:01:06
But in addition, what other language or other paperwork issues could be, modified so that there are less problems for the applicant?
1:01:16
That's question number one.
1:01:18
The second is I'm a huge community board fan, and I do like, items that go before the community board.
1:01:26
There is some wish that if every single requirement has been made for that applicant, that maybe they wouldn't have to.
1:01:35
But I think I would just like to hear your opinion on that topic.
1:01:39
I know that still the community board may want to have some input.
1:01:45
And then also my question is, and this is something that I should know more about, but right now I believe it's a revocable consent, which is a very layered process.
1:01:53
And so would that be improved if it was a permit process, whatever that means, and I don't know exactly what that means.
1:01:59
So those are my three questions.
Max Bookman
1:02:00
Sure.
1:02:00
I can address some of those, council members.
1:02:02
So in terms of the first question on paperwork requirements, one of the places where we're seeing a lot of applications get stuck is in a back and forth with the DOT license examiners over their floor plans.
1:02:14
So the key thing that you've got to submit in one of these applications is a diagram showing not only what the tables and chairs layout is gonna be, but you have to have a number of clearances which comply with their regulations.
1:02:25
You heard about the clear path requirement already, which has been made complicated, but there's other clearance criteria as well.
1:02:32
You have to be x number of feet from a fire hydrant, x number of feet from this, from a pole, from a curb cut, etcetera, etcetera.
1:02:39
And a lot of applications are getting stuck there because it's just really complicated and confusing to get those clearance requirements correct.
1:02:46
One of the things you did in the legislation was eliminate the requirement that there be an architect that submit the plans.
1:02:53
And the purpose of that was because it was supposed to be that bar and restaurant owners shouldn't have to hire a professional.
1:02:57
They could just even hand drawn in a clean, nice, professional way or on a simple computer program, submit plans.
1:03:05
It should have been easy.
1:03:06
But what we're seeing is even though the requirement of hiring an architect has been eliminated, in reality, in the back and forth with the agency on the plans, it's almost like you got to be an architect in order to understand what they're saying and make the corrections.
1:03:20
So we're seeing over and
Gale A. Brewer
1:03:21
over So what would you suggest that it be instead?
1:03:24
How could we make it simpler?
Max Bookman
1:03:25
Clearance requirements need to be made simpler.