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NEW YORK, NY, April 19, 2004— The New York City Planning Commission has unanimously approved the addition of small sidewalk cafés as a new permitted category, finding that they will add to the vitality of street life, be visually attractive, and complement street activity, the latest issue of CityRegs reports. Sidewalk cafés of two types, enclosed and unenclosed, have been permitted in specified areas since 1979. Small sidewalk cafés are defined as unenclosed cafés with a single row of movable tables and chairs placed no more than 4˝ feet from the property line. The cafés must be open to the sky, except that a retractable awning may be installed, but which may not extend more than 4˝ feet from the property line. Under the new provision, small sidewalk cafés may be permitted in any location where unenclosed and enclosed cafés are also permitted, plus a new list of 59 Manhattan locations where only small sidewalk cafés are permitted. Among these locations are: Chinatown, Canal Street, portions of Orchard Street, Delancey Street, and major cross town streets such as 8th, 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 57th, 72nd, and 86th Streets. Also permitted will be portions of First, Third, Lexington, Park, Madison, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Avenues. Small sidewalk cafés also are permitted in certain locations in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The City Planning Commission unanimously approved the small sidewalk café amendment on March 12. During the course of its consideration, the Commission made changes in the list of permitted locations based upon Department of City Planning studies and concerns raised by community boards and other interested parties. ABOUT CENTER FOR NEW YORK CITY LAW Founded in 1993, the Center for New York City Law publishes CityLaw, a bi-monthly journal reporting New York City legal and administrative decisions, and CityRegs, a bi-weekly newsletter on new and proposed city regulations. The Center’s Web site, www.citylaw.org, provides an open window on city government, making over 15,000 city administrative decisions from 14 agencies available free of charge in a searchable, comprehensive online database. The Center’s Director, Professor Ross Sandler, is former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation. New York Law School, old.nyls.edu, is one of the oldest independent law schools in the United States. Located near the centers of law, government, and finance in Manhattan's TriBeCa district, New York Law School enrolls 1,400 students in its day and evening divisions. Contact: ### |
