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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans
6:20:55
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131 sec
Jackson Chabot, representing Open Plans, expresses strong support for Intro 431 and Intro 408, which propose reforms to New York City's street vending laws. He emphasizes the cultural and economic importance of street vendors and addresses concerns about vending regulations.
- Current siting regulations for street vendors are already rigorous and specific, contradicting claims that lifting caps would allow unrestricted vending.
- Street vendors contribute to the vibrancy of public spaces and support local economies, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.
- The proposed bills would provide thousands of vendors the opportunity to operate legally while maintaining specific parameters for vending locations.
Jackson Chabot
6:20:55
Good afternoon.
6:20:56
My name is Jackson Chabot.
6:20:58
I'm the director of advocacy and organizing at Open Plans, where we advocate for New York City's streets, sidewalks, and plazas.
6:21:04
I'm here today to express OpenPlan's strong support for Council of Bills Intro four three one and four zero eight, which propose vital reforms to New York City's street vending laws.
6:21:15
These bills will not only provide thousands of vendors the opportunity to operate legally, but also ensure the continued vibrancy of our public spaces.
6:21:24
Street vendors are a cornerstone of New York City's culture, economy, offering diverse, affordable foods, and goods.
6:21:31
They enrich our public spaces contributing to the city's unique energy and fostering social interaction.
6:21:37
Vendors also support the local economies, particularly in underserved neighborhoods, and provide valuable services to both residents and tourists.
6:21:45
Personally, they come into the rally.
6:21:46
Someone tried to order a hotdog about 09:45 this morning, and the vendor did not have one by city hall.
6:21:52
So not a choice I would make, but it was something I overheard this morning.
6:21:57
I like to focus on the current siting regulations.
6:21:59
The current siting guidelines for street vendors are rigorous, and they're very specifically designed, and many of them date back many, many years ago before many of us were born.
6:22:09
They were put in place allegedly to balance economic activity with public safety, but what they do right now is are overprescriptive and offer many places where vendors cannot vend.
6:22:20
So we've heard today from some folks that if the caps were lifted, vendors could vend anywhere, and we know based on the current regulations this is simply not the case.
6:22:30
There are specific 12 foot pedestrian path clearances, for example.
6:22:35
And so when we see this, there's also these restricted zones that I mentioned in specific areas such as bus stops, taxi stands, near subway entrances, as well as specific parts of the city, including Midtown among other places.
6:22:48
These rules were put in place, and they offer very specific parameters.
6:22:52
So, again, when we say that we're potentially lifting the caps of the permits here, there are still places where
Julie Menin
6:22:58
vendors to wrap up.
Jackson Chabot
6:22:59
Would not be able to vend.
6:23:01
I'm asking you to take these bills into the next phase, and please pass them expeditiously.
6:23:05
Thank you.