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The following is a summary of the items that came up at the monthly Community Board 12 General Meeting at the Russ Berrie Pavilion on Tue., June 28th.
CB12 approves uptown bike lane study.
Members of the Traffic and Transportation committee passed a resolution supported by CB12 general board members calling on the City to do a study that looks into creating and improving bike lanes in Northern Manhattan.
After hosting a “Bike Lane Forum,” the Traffic and Transportation committee chaired by Yosef Kalinsky decided to draft the resolution before the board goes into its summer recess, asking the Department of Transportation (DOT) to do a thorough study of Northern Manhattan, and come up with possible bike lane routes that are safe and cohere throughout the neighborhood.
Besides the addition of bike lanes, the resolution also asks that access points, safety, road conditions, signage, and education for pedestrians and drivers are all addressed in the study.
Although this is only the beginning of the process, local cycling advocates and Kalinsky said that the support for the bike lanes in the community has been overwhelming, and the passage of the resolution was the first step in the right direction.
CB12 supports proposed changes to W. 181st Street for enhanced safety and traffic flow.
Following a 40 month-long study conducted by the Department of Transportation (DOT), CB12 passed a resolution in support of proposed changes to the West 181st Street corridor.
The proposed plan seeks to manage traffic operation and increasing pedestrian safety, as well as enhancing the movement of goods and people while mitigating issues of double and metered parking. The plan includes addition of bus lanes, loading zone parking, and dedicated left turn only lanes.
One of the biggest changes to the current traffic pattern would be at the intersection of St. Nicholas Avenue and W. 181st Street. Drivers would not be permitted to make any turns from St. Nicholas Avenue onto W. 181st Street and left hand turns would be prohibited from W. 181st Street onto St. Nicholas Avenue.
CB12 Calls on Congress to Enact “Respect for Marriage Act.”
Following the passage of legislation recognizing same sex marriages, providing thousands of gay and lesbian couple New Yorkers legal protections and rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples on June 24th, 2011, CB12 passed a resolution calling on Congress to enact a “Respect for Marriage Act.”
Back in February, the US Department of Justice declined to defend the “Defense of Marriage Act,” which defined marriage as being between a man and a woman only, prohibited federal recognition of same sex marriages made legal by some states and denied gay and lesbian couples of over 1,100 federal rights.
Saying that CB12 views the federal ban on marriage equality for gays and lesbians as a “denial of civil rights that has caused undeserved emotional pain, and economic losses to thousands of victims,” CB12 passed a resolution expressing support for marriage equality for gays and lesbians, and calling on New York’s congressional delegation to recognize and work to uphold the civil rights of all Americans, and support the Respect for Marriage Act.
CB12 rejects seven alcohol licenses and supports seven.
Following the lead of its Economic Development Committee, CB12 gave the green light for liquor or wine and beer license applications to Altus Café, 21 Bar, El Conde Restaurant, Hudson View Restaurant, Kobe Sushi, El Nuevo Ambiente, and Little Apple.
Facing heavy community opposition, La Esperanza Sports Bar, located at 2372 Amsterdam Avenue between W. 177th and W. 178th Streets, had their application for a new on premise liquor license rejected, after a group of about ten residents of the area voiced concern during the public session.
Residents claimed that the establishment causes serious quality of life issues ranging from noise and public intoxication, to fighting, violence, and speeding.
A spokesperson for La Esperanza Sports Bar who was accompanied by employees and patrons described the restaurant instead as a “family oriented” restaurant and a friendly environment.
The economic development committee had initially drafted a resolution at their monthly committee in support of the establishment, if it agreed to close by 10 pm on weekdays and 1 am on weekends.
However, the resolution was not passed after it received 17 votes in opposition during the general CB12 board meeting.
The following establishments also received the thumbs down from CB12 general board members, who followed the recommendations of the committee to vote against establishments that do not attend the economic development meeting: Barrow Tavern, Harger Donut Shop, Guadalupe Victoria, and Capricito Lounge.
El Nuevo Rincon restaurant’s new on-premise liquor license application was also rejected given the small size of the establishment. Nueva Juquila restaurant’s beer and wine license application was also rejected by members of the board due to its close proximity to a school, and for receiving a summons for having alcohol without a license.
Since CB12 is an advisory body, these resolutions serve as recommendations to the State Liquor Authority, which makes the final determination.
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