A New York City Council committee hearing Monday showed lawmakers and advocates are not ready to put the issue of year-round outdoor dining to rest just yet as they continue to call for a return to its pandemic-era form. But as Council Speaker Adrienne Adams made clear Tuesday, to her, the program as it stands is nothing new.

Monday’s hearing focused on legislation introduced by Council Member Lincoln Restler last month that aims to ease the permitting process for outdoor dining, expand the program to grocery stores and eliminate the seasonal pause on roadway cafes. The bill comes in response to a decline in restaurant participation in the past year, as restaurant owners have said the city’s revamped “Dining Out NYC” program is costly, difficult to navigate and bad for business.

Bu

See Full Page