Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Improving website information on outdoor dining legality
2:07:20
·
84 sec
Council Member Brewer raises concerns about the lack of clear information on the legality of outdoor dining setups on the DOT website. She suggests improvements to help residents identify legal and illegal structures more easily.
- Current website shows who applied but doesn't indicate if setups are legal
- DOT plans to continually update the website with more detailed information
- Brewer emphasizes the need for clear indications of legality, similar to issues with illegal smoke shops
- DOT suggests that setups not listed on the website are likely illegal, but agrees this needs to be made clearer
Gale A. Brewer
2:07:20
Okay.
2:07:20
The other question I have is the website.
2:07:23
So the website now, I look at it and it has correctly who applied, etcetera.
2:07:29
But it doesn't we get complaints of we don't know if they're legal or not.
2:07:32
Obviously, I'm like the, you know, the person who spent a great deal of time on the illegal smoke shops, as you know.
2:07:39
So we don't know if they're legal or illegal.
2:07:41
It doesn't say that on the website.
2:07:43
Is there some way that that could be added?
2:07:45
Because people are bringing us I don't know if it's legal or not.
2:07:47
We can call.
2:07:49
But that'll be something that I think people would appreciate.
2:07:51
If you give them a summons, can that be listed, etcetera.
Margaret Forgione
2:07:55
Okay.
2:07:55
So the website will be continually updated.
2:07:58
But in the meantime, if there is a question about any setup, if you call us, we are
Gale A. Brewer
2:08:03
I know, I can call you, but I'm
Margaret Forgione
2:08:04
just saying anybody can call 311 or nyc.gov, and we will tell them what the dimensions are supposed to be and whatnot.
2:08:12
But as we continue along with the program and the final approvals, the website will be more and more updated and more useful to your constituents.
Gale A. Brewer
2:08:20
How about those that are not legal also?
Margaret Forgione
2:08:22
If they're not in the website, they're probably illegal.
Gale A. Brewer
2:08:26
But then it needs to say that because people don't know that.
2:08:29
It needs it needs that.
2:08:30
That's what happened during the smoke shops.
2:08:33
People didn't know if they were legal or illegal.
2:08:35
They had no idea.
2:08:36
I mean, you and I might know because of the insignia in the window, but believe me, they didn't know.
2:08:40
Right.
2:08:41
Can we be a second round?
2:08:42
I have more questions.
2:08:43
I don't want to take out
Julie Menin
2:08:44
of No.