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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Samir Lavingia, Member of Manhattan Community Board 5, on Outdoor Dining Program
3:41:46
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97 sec
Samir Lavingia, a member of Manhattan Community Board 5, expressed strong support for the outdoor dining program, highlighting its positive impact on quality of life and better use of public space. He also pointed out several areas for improvement in the program's implementation and regulations.
- Suggested extending outdoor dining hours on Sundays to before 10 AM
- Advocated for simplifying the application process for businesses
- Recommended making the program year-round to increase accessibility and affordability
Samir Lavingia
3:41:46
Hi.
3:41:47
My name is Samir Lavinia.
3:41:48
I'm the sorry.
3:41:50
I'm on my community board.
3:41:51
I'm actually the transition environment vice chair, and I was on the open restaurants task force.
3:41:56
And I'm currently on the committee that reviews all the outdoor dining applications at Manhattan Community Board five.
3:42:01
I love outdoor dining.
3:42:03
It's so great to replace parking spaces with place for people to dine outside, and my quality of life has really improved significantly since being able to do so with my friends and family in my neighborhood.
3:42:13
I live near Columbus Circle that used to be so crowded on the sidewalks with the old sidewalk requirements, and the nuclear path requirements make it a lot easier to walk around, to get around, especially in such a tourist friendly area, and it's just such a better use of space.
3:42:29
In terms of what I think doesn't work and what could be fixed, right now, outdoor dining, you can only do it on Sundays after 10AM.
3:42:38
I think it's a little bit silly that I can't have a breakfast on a Sunday morning, before 10AM outside.
3:42:44
The process is very confusing for businesses.
3:42:47
We often see businesses have have to hire expediters, and come to Community Ward 5, and I think the system should be a lot easier.
3:42:54
So we need less of that.
3:42:55
I think the program should be a year round program.
3:42:58
Good weather isn't limited to certain times of the year anymore, and there are winter days where it's gorgeous outside.
3:43:04
And having to have restaurants break down their dining structures every time means that only Tony restaurants are able to open, which means affordable options for outdoor dining are really lacking in my neighborhood.
3:43:17
So thank you for allowing me the time to speak, and I look forward to an improved version of the program in the future.
3:43:23
Thank you.