The City Council’s two committees overseeing zoning and land use endorsed the city’s plan to make outdoor dining permanent on Thursday.
Committee members voted 11 to 1 in favor of zoning changes to allow a permanent al fresco eatery program to take shape after the COVID-19 pandemic eases.
Department of Transportation officials have said they plan to get rid of the popular, but controversial, outdoor dining sheds as part of institutionalizing the outdoor set-ups for the long-term.
Outdoor dining saved around 100,000 restaurant jobs, according to city estimates, but has picked up its fair share of detractors, who piled on during an eight-hour hearing on Feb. 8.
“Over the course of an over eight-hour hearing, I heard loud and clear the many concerns about sanitation, noise pollution, pedestrian safety, designing, accessibility, and enforcement from people all over the City,” said Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez (D-Bronx), the bill’s sponsor.
“After almost two years of temporary rules to respond to the pandemic, now is the time to create a program that learns the lessons from the last two years and addresses the concerns that have been raised,” said Land Use Chair Rafael Salamanca (D-Bronx).
Thursday’s lone opposing vote came from Councilman Ari Kagan (D-Brooklyn).
A vote by the entire 51-member Council is scheduled for Feb. 24.
