NOTE: This preview of Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) April committee meetings will be updated throughout the month. Once a meeting has taken place, a link to its recorded Zoom session will be added, and the writeup will be moved to the bottom of the list. 

BY SCOTT STIFFLER | That high-rise on your block didn’t just rise up out of nowhere–nor did the new bar on the corner or the bike lane beside it. Before they were fully realized parts of the neighborhood, chances are they came up as topics that came before your local community board. For those who live in West Chelsea from 14th Street all the way up to West 57th, Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) is your all-volunteer advocacy and vetting entity. Its work is done through the monthly meetings of committees and task forces including the Chelsea Land Use and the Business, Licences, and Permits committees. The letters they generate are voted on when MCB4’s full membership meets (typically on the first Wednesday of the month. To better understand that process, here’s a roundup of committee and task force goings-on throughout April.

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.

Cannabis Task Force (CTF): Thursday, April 17, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | When this roundup was originally published, the CTF had yet to announce April 28’s Agenda Items. 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.

ABOUT: 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.  

Chelsea Land Use Committee (CLU) / Monday, April 21, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at Pier 57 Classrooms (25 11th Ave. at West 15th St.) | On the April meeting’s Agenda: A discussion of, and then vote on, the Chelsea NYCHA Fulton and Elliot/Chelsea Draft Environmental Impact Statement; and a  Committee Discussion on the tabled Letter to Elected Representatives regarding the NYCHA Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Proposal. 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 .  

Executive Committee (EXEC): Monday, April 28, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) |  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.

MEETINGS FROM EARLIER IN THE MONTH OF APRIL

Housing, Health & Human Services Committee (HH&HS) / Thursday, April 3, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | To view the archived recording of this meeting, Click Here. On the evening’s Agenda was a Committee Update on- followed by consideration of–a Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Application for 317-319 W. 35th Street and a West 49th Street Building. Next up was a Presentation of Clinton Housing Development Corp. resident concerns from those living at 353 W. 30th Street; 540 W. 53rd Street; and 554 W. 53rd Street. A Committee discussion about the Chelsea NYCHA Draft Environmental Impact Statement also was scheduled to take place.

ABOUT: 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.

Business Licenses & Permits Committee (BLP) / Tuesday, April 8, 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 April 6’s meeting. On the April 6 Agenda: New Liquor, Wine, Beer & Cider License Applications from seven local businesses (including Restaurantbar321 LLC’s Turnstyle Market at 1000 S 8th Avenue and If You Don’t Know, Now You Know Ltd.’s second and third floor spaces at 453 W. 17th Street) will be considered, followed by an Alteration/Class Change/Method of Operation/Corporate Change Application that seeks to upgrade the on-premises liquor license held by Chef Yala Corp’s Virago space at 401 W. 54th Street. Two New Wine, Beer & Cider License Applications: will be considered, as requested by establishments at 480 10th Avenue (Metalluric LLC) and 744 9th Avenue (PRILUPI Corp.). Further down on the Agenda, there are 20 New Department of Transportation Dining Out Sidewalk Cafe/Roadway Applications, including ones for the Starbucks Reserve Roastery (61 9th Ave.), Elmo, at 156 7th Ave. (click here to read our recently published Q&A with Elmo’s owner), and Fonda of Chelsea (189 9th Ave.). 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.

ABOUT: Any beer, wine, or on-premise liquor license applications and sidewalk cafe applications must come before the BLP 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.

The Wednesday, April 9 Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen Land Use (CHKLU) Committee meeting has been cancelled. | “Instead,” notes MCB4 District Manager Jesse Bodine, “there will be a special meeting of the Housing, Health, & Human Services Committee [HH&HS] to discuss and vote on the changes to the MCB4 Affordable Housing Plan.” The next CHKLU meeting will be on Wednesday, May 14.  To view a recording of April 9’s special meeting, click here. As for the meeting of Wednesday, April 9, 6:30pm: To access the current MCB4 Affordable Housing Plan, Click Here). To attend the meeting via Zoom, Click Here. The meeting will also livestream on MCB4′s YouTube channel. Click Here to watch it in real time on YouTube or access it after-the-fact via an archived recording of the proceedings. Visit the MCB4 website by Clicking Here. ABOUT: 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.

Waterfront, Parks & Environment Committee (WPE) / Thursday, April 10, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | To view a recording of the April 10 meeting, click here. This month’s meeting begins with an update on various programs and services, from the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. That’s followed by two presentations. The first is from real estate developer Vornado, regarding their proposed scenario for the use of Pier 94. The second presentation, from Gateway Development Commission, concerns the impact of the Hudson Tunnel Project to Hudson River Park. Old and New Business wraps up the meeting, proceeded by a discussion and vote on the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. 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.

ABOUT: 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.

Arts, Culture, Education, and Schools Committee (ACES) / Monday, April 14, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In-Person at the MCB4 Office (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | To view a recording of the April 14 meeting, click here. Atop of April 14’s Agenda: The Open Session is an opportunity for communtiy members to share their perspectives on issues connected to Arts, Culture, Education, & Schools. That’s followed by two presentations: The first, regarding the High Line’s Emerging Leaders Fellow Program; and the second, from Pathways Children’s School, a “private nonprofit school dedicated to educating and caring for children with profound disabilities. To attend the April 14 meeting via Zoom, Click Here. To attend via phone, dial 646-518-9805 (when prompted to enter the Webinar ID, it’s 832-2934-6358. 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.

ABOUT: 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.   

Transportation Planning Committee (TPC): Wednesday, April 16, 6:30pm Online via Zoom & YouTube and In Person at the MCB4 Office  (424 W. 33rd St., Suite 580) | To view a recording of the April 16 meeting, click here. Atop the Agenda are two Presentations, each followed by the TPC voting on the matters. First up, residents of W. 52nd Street (btw. 8th/9th Aves.) present a request for parking regulation change to allow for street cleaning. The second presentation, from Underground Railway Consortium of NYS, concerns a propossal for a Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. In addition to a section devoted to Old/New Business, TPC expeccts to hear updates regarding Penn Station and Port Authority, as well as the US 1 Study. To attend the April 16 meeting via Zoom, Click Here.  To attend via telephone, call 646-518-9805 (when prompted for the Webinar ID, dial 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.

ABOUT: 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.

—END—

ChelseaCommunityNews.com (CCNews) is an independent, single-owner online newspaper providing news, arts, events, and opinion content to Manhattan’s Chelsea community and its adjacent areas (Flatiron/NoMad and Meatpacking Districts, Hudson Yards, Hell’s Kitchen, Broadway/Times Square, and the Penn Station area).  Our editorial content is made possible by advertising revenue, grants, quarterly pledges of support, and voluntary reader donations (click here for our GoFundMe campaign). To join our subscriber list, click here to receive ENewsletters containing links to recently published content–as well as an occasional “Sponsored Content” email featuring an advertiser’s exclusive message. 

ChelseaCommunityNews.com is a member of the New York Press Association (NYPA) and the Empire State Local News Coalition. Our content is collected for placement in the United States Library of Congress’ LGBTQ+ Studies Web Archive. (“We consider your website to be an important part of  the historical record,” read a July 26, 2019 email.) Our freelance reporters have been recognized by NYPA’s annual Better Newspaper Contest, with Honorable Mention wins for Best News or Feature Series  (2021, 2023). CCNews is a three-time winner in the Coverage of the Arts category (First Place and Honorable Mention, 2022 and Third Place, 2023).

PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: HELP CHELSEA COMMUNITY NEWS THRIVE BY FREQUENTLY  VISITING THIS WEBSITE TO READ OUR ARTICLES AND CLICK ON THE ADVERTISEMENTS.

Questions? Comments? Want to Place an Advertisement or Make a Donation? Email Founder/Editor Scott Stiffler at scott@chelseacommunitynews.com.