FYI: Hundreds of artists packed City Hall yesterday to decry legislation that would give the parks department greater authority in regulating art venders in city parks. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe has advocated for the new law, arguing that proliferating venders are crowding the city’s open spaces and monuments. The bill would establish a lottery for handing out a limited number of permits, at a cost of $25 a piece. Benepe has suggested that the lottery could favor venders selling original work rather than mass-produced items. [1/28/03]