June 7, 2015 By Christian Murray
It’s back to the drawing board for Station LIC, a bar/restaurant that opened at 1037 Jackson Ave. last November.
Community Board 2 rejected its sidewalk seating application that sought 16 tables and 32 seats. It told co-owner Gregory Okshteyn to come up with a new plan.
The problem arose when the board discovered that there were bicycle racks outside the establishment that had been placed there by the city. The plan that had been filed by Station LIC made no mention of the racks.
The board—following Department of Consumer Affairs’ rules—said that the bicycle racks would block a clear pathway for pedestrians should there be outdoor seating. It said that pedestrians need at least 8 feet of clear space.
Furthermore, the DCA requires that there is a clear path of at least 8 feet from bicycle racks.
Okshetyn assured the board that he would revise the plan quickly.
Several members of the board suggested that the application be approved subject to an amended plan.
However, Pat O’Brien, chairman of the board, said it was important that the board see the revised plan before it makes a decision. He said the board should not approve something without seeing it first.
The problem, however, for Okshteyn was that the board takes off the summer months and will not reconvene until September—delaying his revised application.
The board, however, agreed to allow Station LIC to revise its plan and submit it to the “executive committee” who will review it during the summer break. That way it will speed up the process.
Meanwhile, other LIC establishments had no problem get their sidewalk seating applications approved.
Bareburger’s application for 20 tables and 40 seats was approved; so too was Riverview’s application for 12 tables and 48 seats; as well as Bella Via’s application (renewal) for 17 tables and 48 seats.
