Board 2 Debates Outdoor Cafés In Long Island City
Long Island City residents and business owners offered their opinion on Community Board 2 not allowing establishments in the area to use their rear gardens to serve customers at the board’s monthly meeting last Thursday, May 1 at Sunnyside Community Services.
Residents adjacent or above the establishments have justified their opposition by pointing to noise levels, smoke and unpleasant smells wafting into their homes.
Those in favor of allowing backyard service feel that if LIC is to become a destination for people that want to enjoy the burgeoning nightlife, outdoor space is needed.
They believe that as the area becomes more populous and people from around the city travel to LIC for food and drink, restaurants and bars need have every opportunity to capitalize on the growth of Western Queens.
Renee Katsaitis, an LIC resident, began an online petition to allow for use of the outdoor spaces. At last Thursday’s meeting, she urged the community board to consider the change at the end of April. It currently has 585 signatures, she said.
“The issue of dining outdoors may seem trivial to some, but if LIC is going to be a “‘ destination'” as (City Council Majority Leader) Jimmy Van Bramer calls it, it has to keep up with other trendy neighborhoods,” she wrote. “That means, LIC needs cool spots that keep people coming back and investing in the area.”
At the meeting last Thursday, Community Board 2 Chairperson Joe Conley said he is open to talking about the issue, “There’s a renewed discussion in Hunters Point, This is not just on rear gardens or an issue for Long Island City or Hunters Point, but for the entire city,” he added.
“We give everyone the opportunity to bring an application. There’s no preconceived notions,” he said .
There were nearly an even amount of speakers on both sides at the meeting.
Most that spoke during the public hearing portion and feel no changes should be made remain opposed because of the noise and smoke that would be generated by people in the backyards, they claim.
Others have found issue with the petition itself. They feel an online petition doesn’t accurately reflect the interests of community residents because it can be signed by anyone, regardless of where they actually live.
“A lot of the people singing the petition don’t live in the area,” said Leslie Nillson, a local restaurant owner.
She is also a resident of the neighborhood and said, “I see both sides of this issue. I think the residents that are experiencing these issues need to be considered.”
David Hasse, an LIC resident that lives on 47th Avenue behind Alobar spoke at the meeting and feels the noise would have a significantly negative effect.
“I don’t know why it’s difficult to imagine people will get screwed if they start allowing the restaurants to use their backyards. If someone drops a fork outside, it’s like in my house,” he said.
Louis Diullio, a 25-year resident of the neighborhood agrees. He lives on Vernon Boulevard and believes its the community board’s duty to protect residents’ interests.
“Two people talking on the street are like it’s in my bedroom,” Diullio said. “You’re responsibility as a community board is to lessen our noise. I’m asking you to consider our needs.”.
Mark Barry, another LIC resident at the meeting offered his opinion in support of beginning the discussion and trying to find a compromise.
“We’ve heard from a lot of residents in Long Island City. Let me give a dissenting opinion to that,” he said.
“Noise has to be just one of the factors, these places not having access to their backyard effects the entire community. Long Island City is changing whether we like it or not. And we have to adapt to the changes,” Barry said.
Katsaitis also spoke during the meeting in support of backyard gardens and searching for a middleground. “Being part of the community means compromise,” she said.
Following her remarks, she read positive comments from the petition written online supporting rear gardens.
Conley, put in something of a defensive stance tried to explain the community board process.
“We do hold public hearings and hold public comments. It’s very transparent. The question is about rear yards,” he said.
He then listed several area restaurants that do in fact have outdoor seating and advised, “some also don’t have certificates of occupancy for these places,” he added.
Lissa Gillmore, an 11-year LIC resident used to live near an outdoor cafe that stayed open until 4 a.m. and noise was a problem.
“We had to call the cops so many times,” she said.
But she also feels there is room for compromise, like reduced outside serving hours, for example. “There should be some sort of compromise,” she added.
LIC Post Office to relocate
Big changes, most notably a change of location are coming to the Long Island City Plaza post office–Joseph Mulvey, United States Postal Service real estate specialist and Maria Entrates, manager of the branch said at the meeting last Thursday.
Mulvey and Entrates came to the board meeting to inform the community that the LIC Plaza branch, operating at 24-18 Queens Plaza S., since 1951, will be relocated this summer.
“Our landlord has informed us he has other plans for the property,” Mulvey said. “What is evident is he is unable to give us an extension.”
Mulvey said the USPS is looking for a 1000 sq. ft space. When they find one, they will notify the local elected officials , make a presentation and solicit comments from the community.
“Any members of the public may comment on this plan,” he said. He also advised a USPS facilities manager will review the public comments.
Afterwards, a copy of the decision will be sent to the community board and borough president.
“When a suitable location has been found, letters will be sent to the community board and the borough president,” Mulvey said. “That’s pretty much it in a nutshell,” he added.
The USPS’ lease at LIC Plaza expires in August of this year, according to Mulvey.
Long Island City is also served by the main Astoria post office at 46-02 21st St.
* * *
The next Community Board 2 meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at Sunnyside Community Services, located at 43-31 39th St.
