Permanent outdoor dining vote nearing finish line
The new bill, which was introduced in May, assigns enforcement of outdoor dining rules to the Department of Transportation.
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The City Council is inching closer to making the outdoor dining bill permanent for city restaurants.
The new bill, which was introduced in May, assigns enforcement of outdoor dining rules to the Department of Transportation.
"I will celebrate when it passes by eating outdoors,” said Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez.
Vasquez, along with council colleagues, took up the task from Mayor Eric Adams back in February 2022 to figure out the best way to make outdoor dining permanent.
“To not only save jobs but create more jobs and create a new atmosphere, to create and add a new better way of dining,” added Velazquez.
Restaurants can apply for four-year licenses, and pricing will change in the hopes of helping restaurants out. Permanent dining structures in the street will also no longer be allowed
"We understand that was in 2020 we're about to hit 2024 and so this is a transitional period, we will give folks an opportunity to transition out of those sheds, but ultimately those sheds will have to be removed,” said Velazquez.
The City Council is expected to vote to make outdoor dining permanent at their next stated meeting on Aug. 3.
