Lacey Tauber Testimony: Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso

Um, my name is Lacey Tower.

I'm representing Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

Um he was here, but unfortunately he had to leave.

Um, this is a really big uh priority for the borough president because he was the uh the author of the bill that created the um emergency open restaurants program and a precursor to the bill that the council ultimately passed in 2023 to make the program permanent.

Um BP Reynoso is very proud of what the original open restaurants program accomplished.

It was a lifeline for small restaurants that struggled during the pandemic, saved approximately 100,000 jobs, allowed for people to interact socially in a safe setting, generated tax revenue for the city, and helped New Yorkers reimagine what our streets can be.

It was wildly successful by any objective means, and it's a shame to see that because of the changes that the council adopted, the program now barely exists, with only about a third of restaurants that had approved emergency permits choosing to apply for the quote unquote permanent program, and barely a handful of those applications approved.

It's up to the council to now fix some of the mistakes and some of the recommendations that the BP has are first to restore a year-round outdoor dining program.

The seasonal program creates too many burdens on small businesses.

I'm sure that has been discussed and will be discussed more today.

It would also encourage more creative designs, restore a consistent option for immunocompromised people to socialize safely and create more jobs.

Two to expedite approvals.

It is unacceptable that DOT had processed and approved less than 1% of applications as of mid-February, and even allowing businesses with completed applications to proceed doesn't involve uh doesn't solve issues with SLA.

Another important way to speed the process up is to remove the oversight role for community boards.

Uh, to the extent allowed under the charter, they should have little to no role in the approval process as the agency level requirements are sufficient to ensure safety, appropriateness, cleanliness, and accessibility.

Um, finally, alleviate cost burdens for small businesses.

Um, this was a big goal for BP in the original legislation to make it easy as possible for small outer borough and immigrant-run businesses to participate.

That was the point of updating the zoning text amendment as well.

Um, and uh, I will just list these to remove the public hearing notice fee, ensure that the application requirements are clear, create a process for expansion in front of adjacent businesses, and remove the liquor liability requirement.

Um, thank you again for holding this hearing for President Reno looks forward to working with the council to make the program successful.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi, I'm Jean Ryan, I'm president of Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York, DIA for short.