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Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Ozone Park will host the town hall on Feb. 11.
By Michael V. Cusenza
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) is set to host a town hall in February in Ozone Park to help educate small business owners on the new sign regulations for storefronts.
Earlier this month, the City Council approved a bill aimed at reducing the burden awning sign violations have placed on small businesses. Complaints to 311 referencing an archaic City statute requiring special permits for businesses to hang signs or awnings larger than 6 square-feet have increased considerably over the last year; and the fines for unlicensed signs or awnings are steep.
At the Jan. 9 Stated Meeting, the council voted in favor of Intro. 728-B, which would create a temporary program for the resolution of outstanding judgments resulting from awning violations. It would also authorize a two-year moratorium on the issuance of additional accessory sign violations, as well as a temporary assistance program to facilitate the re-installation of accessory signs for respondents who have already paid related penalties. The measure, which was co-sponsored by Ulrich, would establish an interagency task force to explore issues related to signs and awnings; require the Department of Buildings to provide a report to the council that contains information about violations; and establish a waiver of all work-without-a-permit penalties issued in relation to the hanging of an accessory sign from Dec. 28, 2017 going forward.
The free town hall, featuring representatives from DOB and the Department of Small Business Services, is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 11, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the basement of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary church (101-41 91st St., Ozone Park).
