An application for a Whitestone sidewalk café will go up for a City Council vote at the end of the month without support from the area councilmember.
“It was pretty clear that the community opposed it, and I will make my case against it,” Councilmember Paul Vallone said. “It’s just not the right fit.”
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) approved Nonna’s Pizzeria & Trattoria owner’s bid last year to wrap an outdoor sitting area around his restaurant at 22-30 154th St.
City lawmakers will vote on the application March 26, though Vallone says the legislative body will likely follow suit with his “no” vote and shut it down.
The sidewalk is not wide enough for outdoor seating and too close to residential homes, said Vallone and State Senator Tony Avella.
Some residents also feared it would bring excessive noise and take away parking spaces.
“A sidewalk café at this location is simply wrong,” Avella said. “If this application is approved by the City Council, abutting residents will suffer significantly increased traffic and noise.”
But Joe Lobue, who manages the Italian restaurant, said the sidewalk café would let customers kick back and enjoy a meal in the sunshine.
“I think it would actually help the community,” he said. “It would be a place for them to sit down and relax. I disagree with the negativity.”
Hans Roessel, a 73-year-old regular of the restaurant — who also lives across the street — welcomed the plan.
“It doesn’t bother the neighborhood,” he said. “They’re going to make it nice. Why can’t we sit outside?”
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