Long Island City restaurateurs hit roadblocks in bids for backyard seating

Two eatery owners say it’s nearly impossible to open up rear outdoor seating in the booming dining district.

BY LISA L. COLANGELO, MELISSA CHAN, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, Monday, June 30, 2014, 2:00 AM

Sometimes good fences aren’t enough to make good neighbors.

A Long Island City restaurateur claims a “moratorium” on backyard gardens has taken a bite out of the booming dining district after his bid for outdoor seating was nixed twice.

“There’s a high demand in this area for nice dining options outside,” said Alobar owner Jeff Blath. “People love coming here for brunch, but on a nice day they want to sit outside. They just go somewhere else.”

Blath, 40, offered to install high fences, ban external audio speakers and close at 10 p.m. to get approval, but his bid has been rejected by Community Board 2 twice since 2010 due to noise complaints from residents.

“We look at everything on a case by case basis,” said Joseph Conley, who chairs the board and insisted no moratorium on backyard gardens exists. “There was uproar from his neighbors directly affected.”…

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And then come back and make sure you have the latest flyer and blank petitions, and get your neighbors to the Community Board 11 Meeting, Wednesday, October 1 at 6 PM. 1664 Park Avenue at 117th Street.