More than half of New York City restaurants that got outdoor dining permits since March 2024 waited over 19 months, according to an investigation released Tuesday by City Comptroller Mark Levine. DOT had approved 28.6% of 4,911 applications as of June 15, with 2,115 still pending, and the report says DOT does not track how long each review stage takes. Voters will weigh a charter change aimed at faster approvals on Nov. 3.