NU Hotel Abbreviates Outdoor Cafe Plans

While the NU Hotel's grand plans to weren't dashed by Community Board 2 at a public hearing and committee meeting last week, the trendy boutique hotel is bending to the demands of the community.

The hotel, on Smith Street in Boerum Hill, has agreed to shrink the number of seats for the cafe from 52 to 44.

"We listened to their [the communities] concerns and are happy to announce that we will amend the plans to have these seats removed from the project," said NU Hotel spokesperson Jennifer Goodman. "We understand the Community Board’s position and are more than willing to sacrifice the extra seating as suggested."

The Executive Committee of Community Board 2 voted to approve a motion recommending the Department of Consumers Affairs approve the application "conditioned on the removal of the tables and chairs south (towards Atlantic Avenue) of the entrance into the hotel," said District Manager Rob Perris.

The proposal will be considered by the full community board at its general meeting on June 9.

Perris said concerns voiced at the public hearing were varied. Some residents were worried about more garbage from the building while others wondered about increaded noise and sidewalk accessibility for pedestrians.