Williamsburg To Go Dry?
On Tuesday, the Executive Committee of CB1 Brooklyn voted unanimously to institute a moratorium on new liquor licenses in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and the rest of North Brooklyn. The vote was a response to what the leaders of CB1 see as an over saturation of liquor licenses in the area.
The Board’s Public Safety Committee, which reviews liquor license applications, met last night to discuss the issue, and left with more questions than answers. The Committee did not vote on a moratorium, but the issue is sure to come at next Tuesday’s full board meeting.
About time. They’ve been pretty lax, and the state liquor authority is completely incapable of enforcing the rules that are in place. I know, I’ve tried. Your headline is comical, however. It’s a drinking neighborhood, and that won’t change. Maybe we’ll get a few less kids coming from other places for a cheap drunk, but that would be just fine.
I live directly above the recently opened Alma after hours night club in South Williamsburg:
(contact me at dsusla@gmail.com if you can help)
There are 5 family’s (several children) and we are all multi-cultural, open minded, small business supporting neighbors.
For 12 months we have patiently navigated multiple mediation channels to find some sense solution to their ongoing noise violations (foundation shaking bass). We attend the CB1 public meetings and will be looking forward to seeing the process improve. “Dry” is not the answer but some discretion should be considered for the neighbors.
MEDIA: The Daily News, The Brooklyn Paper: (See Attached
brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/9/wb_almanoise_2011_2_25_bk.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/04/04/2011-04-04_11_stats_show_dramatic_drop_in_city_shootings_homicides_crime_shot_down.html
newyorkshitty.com/williamsburg/?p=53341
NOISE: Department of Environmental Protection: Alma has been issued two noise violations and we are working with the agency for more readings (NOV# 00266115X, NOV# 00266160P). Additionally, the 90th precinct has been issuing sidewalk-noise violations weekly.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: Councilwoman Diana Reyna: We were contacted by and met with her chief of staff (Antonio Reynoso: AReynoso@council.nyc.gov) on 03/17/11 to discuss their offices investigation into the numerous Alma violations. Mr. Reynoso will be meeting with the Alma management next week to discuss these violations.
LEGAL PERMITS AND COMPLIANCE: SLA, DOB, DOH, DCA, FDNY, DEP, 90th: A second MARCH (multi-agency) raid occurred 03/12/11 and Alma was issued several violations from these agencies including a violation by the FDNY – 45 (illegal conversion) violation (# 3370805) with the following comments: “FD INSPECTED PREMISES AND FOUND THAT IT IS OPERATING CONTRARY TO ITS C OF O” (See Attached). Additionally, we wanted to update you on the following where In response to a FOIL request, we received confirmation from the DCA that the Alma dance club is definitely operating without a Cabaret license (See Attached)
moratorium is over kill
just rescind licenses of the worst offenders
a bar can be a good neighbor
as long as they act like one
one of the great aspects of our neighborhood
is the booming food movement
we have some of the best restaurants in the city
these places will not open without a license
there are dozens of restaurants in the works
all of which are investing 100’s of thousands of dollars in the neighborhood
their projects are already underway and this would pull the rug right out from under them
to do this would literally cripple their projects and wipe out their investments
a moratorium would also hurt property owners who have commercial spaces
to eliminate new restaurants from the neighborhood
would reduce the rents of property owners storefronts
due to the restricted uses of their spaces
the moratorium is a bad idea
just issue licenses on a conditional basis
that the operators perform in a responsible manner
if they can’t be good neighbors
then rescind their licenses
-rich
16 yr. resident of hope street