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New York City Council
Zoning, Cali Tajadas Bakery & Restaurant, Queens (D 2550162086 SWQ)
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Chair Farah N. Louis announces the meeting is hybrid, explains how the public can testify in person or via Zoom, directs remote registration to the Council website, and notes the two-minute limit and written testimony email.
Chair Louis states that decorum must be observed, members of the public may not speak unless testifying, the witness table is reserved for called witnesses, and no video or photography is allowed from the witness table.
Chair Louis opens the public hearing on LU 141, application D 2550162086 SWQ by Tiro de Esquina NYC Corp, for four tables with attached bench seating outside a restaurant in Corona, Queens. She notes Council Member Thomas-Henry has no remarks.
Chair Louis calls the applicant panel consisting of Christian Zuluaga, apologizes for mispronouncing his name, and asks council staff to administer the oath. Staff asks Zuluaga to raise his right hand, state his name, and swear to tell the truth.
Christian Zuluaga says the application is to accommodate a seating area around the location. He describes the business as a restaurant-bar concept and family-friendly place selling food and beverages, and says the outdoor café tables will accommodate business operation hours.
Chair Louis thanks the applicant and recognizes Council Member Thomas-Henry. Thomas-Henry asks for clarity on the entity managing outdoor dining, noting confusion between Tiro de Esquina and Cali Tajadas. Zuluaga explains the corporation started as Cali Tajadas 2 Corp and switched to Tiro de Esquina NYC Corp for a sports-bar concept.
Council Member Thomas-Henry asks for the current hours of operation. Zuluaga says the restaurant is open from noon to midnight, closed on Mondays, and open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to midnight.
Thomas-Henry asks whether most activity is indoors watching sports. Zuluaga confirms the business has a giant screen, attracted World Cup crowds, and that patrons watch sports indoors.
Thomas-Henry asks who the outdoor dining patrons will be. Zuluaga describes soccer-themed benches and tables outside where kids can eat with parents and play with a small soccer ball on the table surface, not outside the table.
Thomas-Henry asks whether the current colorful benches and turf setup will continue or be enclosed. Zuluaga says it will remain the same setup and will be removed in winter because it is fully exposed to snow and weather.
Thomas-Henry notes precinct noise complaints and asks whether the applicant contacted neighbors on the avenue. Zuluaga says they spoke with neighbors, that noise comes from a second-floor event room with Zumba or dancing, that it is not daily, and that they offered to enclose windows.
Thomas-Henry asks whether security is present while open. Zuluaga says there is no front security guard, notes a separate rear bar called Sophia's Bar that causes confusion, and says the family restaurant does not need a security guard at the door.
Chair Louis asks whether Sophia's Bar ever uses the outdoor tables. Zuluaga says none of their tables are used by Sophia's Bar, which has a separate entrance and is totally separate from the business.
Chair Louis thanks Council Member Thomas-Henry and the applicant, excuses the panel, and thanks Christian Zuluaga for making time to testify.
Chair Louis makes a last call for remote and in-person public testimony. No members of the public wish to testify, so she closes the public hearing on LU 141 relating to the sidewalk café application by Tiro de Esquina NYC Corp.
Chair Louis states that the item is laid over.
Chair Louis thanks members of the public, colleagues, subcommittee council, land use and council staff, and the Sergeant at Arms for participating. She adjourns the meeting.