Council Member Jumaane D. Williams hears testimony on strengthening rent regulation laws. Image credit: William Alatriste/New York City Council

Legislation would extend rent stabilization laws for three years and call on state legislature to strengthen existing laws.  On March 2, 2015 the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings held a public hearing on Intro 685, a proposed law to amend the city’s administrative code and extend New York City’s existing rent stabilization laws.  Intro 685 declares the existence of a “housing emergency”, where the city’s vacancy rate drops below 5 percent, and the declaration is required under the New York City Rent Stabilization Law to extend rent stabilization.

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The Odeon’s unenclosed sidewalk cafe, 145 W. Broadway, Manhattan. Image Credit: CityLand.

Community boards fight City Council on shortened sidewalk cafe review period. On May 7, 2013, the City Council’s Committee on Consumer Affairs held a joint hearing with the Land Use Zoning & Franchises Subcommittee to discuss proposed amendments to sidewalk cafe regulations. Introductions 875-2012, 876-A-2012, and 1039-2013 seek to expand sidewalk cafe hours and streamline the sidewalk cafe licensing and registration process.

Sidewalk cafes are licensed and monitored by the City’s Department of Consumer Affairs. In order to operate a sidewalk cafe, owners must first submit various documentation and fees to the DCA. Certain public safety regulations must be met and documented at this time, such as whether the proposed cafe will be on a sidewalk that is at least 12 feet wide. Applicants go through a multi-step approval and review process in order to be granted a revocable consent before a sidewalk cafe license will be issued. DCA controls and facilitates the process, sending the revocable consent petition to various City entities for discrete review periods. The petition is first sent to the City’s Department of City Planning, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission (if applicable). From there, the petition is sent to the local community board, then back to DCA, and then on to the City Council. Each entity is entitled to hold its own public hearing on the petition and recommend approval, approval with modifications, or denial. Finally, the petition is sent to the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services for review and approval. When a revocable consent is granted, DCA will issue the sidewalk cafe a license to operate. (more…)

New law requires DCP to file waterfront plan every 10 years. On October 7, 2008, the City Council passed a local law requiring the Department of City Planning to file a waterfront plan with the Mayor, the Council, the Public Advocate, the Borough Presidents, and the community boards by December 31, 2010, and to repeat the filing not less than every ten years thereafter. The purpose of the plan is to take into account the changing needs of the waterfront. The plan will include an assessment of waterfront resources, a statement of planning policy, and proposals for implementing such policy.

When asked about the new legislation, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn stated that it would ensure that “New York City never turns its back on the waterfront,” and that it will allow the City to “assess the different ways our waterfront can be used for leisure, employment, and industry.” (more…)

Roadway dining will be allowed under the new program but only seasonally. Sidewalk and roadway cafes must have removable furniture and equipment, instead of the dining shed structures that caused much controversy over the past few years. Image Credit: NYC DOT

After a year and a half since the bill was introduced, the Council finally votes to create a permanent outdoor dining program. On August 3, 2023, the City Council voted to approve Int 31-C, which establishes a permanent outdoor dining program. The program will allow sidewalk cafes to operate annually and roadway cafes to operate seasonally, with removable furniture and decor replacing solid dining shed structures. The program follows the temporary outdoor dining program that removed barriers for restaurants to incorporate outdoor sidewalk and roadway dining during the pandemic. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Marjorie Velázquez, Chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection.   (more…)

Gov. Hochul announcing additional measures the state will take to enhance enforcement against illegal smoke shops. The City Council passed a new law to prevent commercial landlords from knowingly renting to tenants who will create illegal smoke shops on the same day. Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Council passed the bill the same day Governor Hochul announced additional state measures to address illegal smoke shops. On June 22, 2023, the City Council Committee on Public Safety passed a new bill to address New York City’s ongoing problem with unlicensed smoke shops. Int. 1001-B (2023), sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman from Queens, will hold landlords accountable for knowingly leasing a commercial premises to an unlicensed tenant who sells controlled substances or tobacco products on the premises. (more…)