BY SCOTT STIFFLER | Ah, September after Labor Day Weekend, when summertime slacking has run its course: The Monday through Friday workweek actually sees people showing up on Fridays again, and school is back in session.

In that same spirit of autumnal reset, Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) met last Wednesday for the first time since July 24’s epic, three hours/27 minutes meeting (click here to view it; and click hereto see September 4’s comparatively svelte one hour/six minutes full board meeting). The remainder of September sees MCB4 back in the saddle, so to speak, in that its individual committees meet in anticipation of generating letters, declarations, and recommendations that will be up for a vote by the board’s full membership at their October 2 meeting (click here to attend it via Zoom). But before we cede the calendar to Month #10 and the omnipresence of “Pumpkin Spice,” let’s have a look at things to come in September—committee by committee by committee…

NOTE: Meeting dates, times, locations, links, and agenda items subject to change. Please visit MCB4’s Online Calendar or call the MCB4 office (212-736-4536) for confirmation.

Housing, Health & Human Services Committee (HH&HS) |  To view September 5’s  three-hour meeting via MCB4’s YouTube channel, click here. | On the agenda: A presentation on Inclusionary Housing/CURE at 353 E. 57 St. followed by a committee vote on the matter; and a discussion regarding budget requests applicable to MCB4’s Statement of District Needs stance. HH&HS reviews proposals and monitors the progress of affordable housing commitments made during the Hudson Yards, West Chelsea, and Western Rail Yards rezoning; reviews Low Income Housing Plan Applications as part of the Inclusionary Housing Program; and evaluates tenant complaints re: service issues, co-op conversions, and tenant associations. Maria Ortiz and Joe Restuccia are HH&HS Co-Chairs. The Public Members are Paul Ames and Travis Rogers. The general committee members are Roberta Barnett, Liam Buckley, Kevin Collins, Lisa David, Pete Diaz, Raul Larios, Rachel Lee, Betty Mackintosh, Jean-Daniel Noland, Delores Rubin, Catie Savage, Katy Stokes, and Hector Vazquez.

Arts, Culture, Education, and Schools Committee (ACES) / Monday, September 9, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | Click Here to view the archived recording of this 1 hour, 37-minute meeting on MCB4’s YouTube channel. | ACES provides support and access to arts and cultural resources available to residents and organizations of the district; advocates for the advancement of education and youth-focused institutions and programs; and provides a place for residents and businesses to voice concerns about issues that have a negative impact on their quality of life. Matt Green and Josephine Ishmon are ACES Co-Chairs. Salvador Munoz is a Public Member. The general committee members are Wendy Gonzalez, Max Goodstein, Ella Kim, Chenise Mitchell, Maria Ortiz, Katy Stokes, and David Warren.

Tentatively scheduled for the agenda is a presentation by the NYC Department of Education on the Food Donation Program. Booked as agenda items are a presentation by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and a discussion/vote on Statement of District Needs and Budget Requests. To attend via Zoom, click here. To attend via phone, dial 646-518-9805 (when prompted to enter the Webinar ID, it’s 832-2934-6538). Click here to watch the meeting live or access it after-the-fact via MCB4’s YouTube channel. For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

Business License & Permits Committee (BLP) / Tuesday, September 10, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | Click Here to view the archived recording of this 2-hour, 23-minute meeting on MCB4’s YouTube channel. | Any beer, wine, or on-premise liquor license applications and sidewalk cafe applications must come before the Business License & Permits Committee of the Community Board for its review. The Board’s position must be considered in the final determination of these applications. Frank M. Holozubiec and Burt Lazarin are BPL Co-Chairs. The general committee members are Theodore Arenas, Christine Berthet, Wendy Gonzalez, Jesse Greenwald, Candice Hewitt, Inge Ivchenko, Kerry Keenan, James MacDonald, Gregory Morris, Tina Nelson, Michael Noble, and Allen Oster

There are 16 items of the BLP’s September 10 agenda. The stipulation packet can be found by clicking here. Among the matters under consideration: Eight applications for a new liquor, wine, beer, and cider license—and five applications for tables and seats as part of sidewalk and/or roadway additions to existing establishments. To attend via Zoom, click here. To attend via phone, dial 646-518-9805 (when prompted to enter the Webinar ID, it’s 996-7780-9240). Click here to watch the meeting live or access it after-the-fact via MCB4’s YouTube channel. For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

CANCELLED: The Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen Land Use (CHKLU) Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 11 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 9. Any application for a change or variance from the zoning Resolution must come before the Community Board for its review. Jean Daniel Noland and Paul Devlin are the CHKLU Co-Chairs. Robert J. Benfatto, Jr. and Brian Weber are Public Members. The general committee members are Theodore Arenas, Kevin Collins, Frank Holozubiec, Christopher LeBron, Rachel Lee, James MacDonald, Sanford Miller, Leslie Boghosian Murphy, Joe Restuccia, and Delores Rubin.

Waterfront, Parks & Environment Committee (WPE) / Thursday, September 12, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | Click Here to view the archived recording of this 3-hour, 5-minute meeting on MCB4’s YouTube channel. | The WPE is actively involved in the planning and operation of the Hudson River Park and other developments along the waterfront, worhing with environmental groups and government agencies on various matters involving the waterfront and inland open space. The WPE also advocates for the creation of new parkland and increased funding for recreation centers and parks. Maarten de Kadt and Leslie Boghosian Murphy are WPE Co-Chairs. Jennifer Cook and Sally Greenspan, and Lowell Kern are Public Members. The general committee members are Roberta Barnett, Gwen Billig, Lisa David, Matt Green, Candice Hewitt, David Holowka, Ella Kim, Raul Larios, Christopher LeBron, Brad Pascarella, Catie Savage, and Alice Wong.

On the agenda for September 12’s meeting: The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation will provide agency updates; the NYC Department of Sanitation will give a presentation on their upcoming composting and containerization programs; play:groundNYC will present on their Request for Interest for Ideas in Community District 4. A discussion/vote will take place regarding the Statement of District Needs and Budget Requests. To attend via Zoom, click here. To attend via phone, dial 646-518-9805 (when prompted to enter the Webinar ID, it’s 935-1888-4814). Click here to watch the meeting live or access it after-the-fact via MCB4’s YouTube channel. For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

Chelsea Land Use Committee (CLU) / Monday, September 16, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at Pier 57 (25 11th Ave. at West 15th St.) | This meeting was canceled. The next CLU Committee meeting will be on Monday, October 21. | Any application for a change or variance from the zoning Resolution must come before the Community Board for its review. The Board’s position must be considered in the final determination of these applications. Jeffrey LeFrancois and Kerry Keenan are CLU Co-Chairs. Pamela Wolff is a Public Member. The general membership is comprised of Viren Brahmbhatt, Maarten de Kadt, Paul Devlin, Candice Hewitt, David Holowka, Josephine Ishmon, Inge Ivchenko, Burt Lazarin, Betty Mackintosh, Chenise Mitchell, Gregory Morris, Michael Noble, Brad Pascarella, Hector Vazquez, and Rodney Washington. As this article was published, there was only one announced agenda item: “Discussion/Vote: Statement of District Needs and Budget Requests.” To attend via Zoom, click here. To attend via phone, dial 646-518-9805 (when prompted to enter the Webinar ID, it’s 420-721-312). Click here to watch the meeting live or access it after-the-fact via MCB4’s YouTube channel. For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

Cannabis Task Force (CTF): Tuesday, September 17, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | Click Here to view the archived recording of this 1-hour, 12-minute meeting on MCB4’s YouTube channel. | Formerly known as the Cannabis Working Group, CTF operates with a three-pronged mission: (1)  keep track of and advise MCB4 and the public about relevant NYS cannabis laws, regulations, licensing, and enforcement; (2) provide feedback to the Office of Cannabis Management and Cannabis Control Board, on proposed cannabis regulations and licensing applications; and (3) provide recommendations to MCB4 on its role in the licensing and siting of cannabis-related businesses. Delores Rubin is CTF’s Chair. Its members are Wendy Gonzalez, Raul Larios, Sanford Miller, Allen Oster, Rodney Washington, and Tina Nelson.

As of this article’s publication date, the Agenda was TBD. To attend via Zoom, click here. To attend via phone, dial 646-518-9805 (when prompted to enter the Webinar ID, it’s 849-4497-7438). Click here to watch the meeting live or access it after-the-fact via MCB4’s YouTube channel. For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

Transportation Planning Committee (TPC): Wednesday, September 18, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In Person at the MCB4 Office – (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | Click here to view the archived recording of this 2-hour, 24-minute meeting on MCB4’s YouTube channel. | TPC reviews application for street closures and permits for anything that is placed on the sidewalks; advocates for better maintenance of streets and sidewalks and improved transit services; and works with the NYC Department of Transportation to consider changes in parking regulations, street design, and traffic patterns. Christine Berthet and Jesse Greenwald are TPC Co-Chairs. Brett Firfer and Charles Todd are public members. The general membership consists of Gwen Billig, Viren Brahmbhatt, Liam Buckley, Pete Diaz, Max Goodstein, Sanford Miller, Tina Nelson, Allen Oster, David Warren, Alice Wong, and Rodney Washington.

On the Agenda: Tentatively scheduled is a presentation by Vornado regarding the interim transportation flow design for Pier 94, followed by TPC voting on the matter. A presentation/vote is scheduled on the matter of bike corral removal in front of West 57th Street’s Watson Hotel. Discussions will take place regarding Flixbus operations as well as Traffic improvements for 29th-30th Streets (btw. 10th/11th Aves.). Tentatively scheduled is a presentation/vote on the removal of No Standing Signage on West 28th Street and 11th Ave. There will also be a discussion/vote on the matter of MTA letter on elevators and TPC’s stance on
Statement of District Needs and Budget Requests. To attend via Zoom, click here. To attend via phone, dial 646-518-9805 (when prompted to enter the Webinar ID, it’s 973-3488-0256. Click here to watch the meeting live or access it after-the-fact via MCB4’s YouTube channel. For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

Budget Task Force: Monday, September 23, 5pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | Community Boards are Charter mandated to produce an annual Statements of Community District Needs and Budget Requests. Together, these documents are intended to support communities in their ongoing consultations with city agencies, elected officials and other key stakeholders. In addition, MCB4 drafts a written response to the Mayor’s Preliminary Budget. The Budget Task Force meets multiple times throughout the year.

On September 23, there will be a discussion/vote regarding Statement of District Needs and Budget Requests. To attend via Zoom, click here. To attend via phone, dial 646-518-9805 (when prompted to enter the Webinar ID, it’s 929-4876-9238). Click here watch the meeting live or access it after-the-fact via MCB4’s YouTube channel. For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

Executive Committee (EXEC): Monday, September 23, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | This meeting was cancelled. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 28 at 6:30pm. For info about all things MCB4, their website can be found by clicking here.

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Note: This editorial content was made possible, in part, by a 2024 pledge of financial support from Chelsea Market.

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