Chair Brooks-Powers Questions DOT on Sidewalk Clearances and Utility Coordination
Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers questions DOT on how sidewalk clearance requirements were determined and how the agency coordinates with utilities and sister agencies.
We used the guidance in the pedestrian mobility plan to set the clear path in this program.
We did make some adjustment because we were trying to balance getting more restaurants to operate, as many restaurants to operate as we can versus providing adequate clearances for pedestrians.
And so for the larger corridors, we reduced the recommended requirements by several feet.
But that's where we got these numbers for the um for the pedestrian clear path.
How did DOT determine the proper distance between sidewalk cafes and other street elements such as subway infrastructure, tree beds, mailboxes?
So we held a series of interagency meetings for a long period of time to um and we reviewed the existing clearances that were out there, both that were listed in the old DCWP program as well as clearance requirements that other programs have for their infrastructure to try to come up with the most appropriate uh clearances here.
And that was sister agencies, the MTA, ConEd, National Grid, anybody who might be touching the street.
Okay, and my last set of questions is gonna focus on the resources for restaurants to be compliant.