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.

9 responses to “Williamsburg To Go Dry?”

  1. […] in full, here’s an item from Brooklyn 11211 this morning: “On Tuesday, the Executive Committee of CB1 Brooklyn voted unanimously to institute a […]

  2. 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.

  3. 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)

  4. […] Is the rubber-stamping of Williamsburg liquor licenses going to be a thing of the past? It looks like the local community board is flirting with instituting a moratorium on new booze permits in response to the total takeover of the area by bearded guys in suspenders mixing artisanal cocktails. Maybe the high-end hipster rehab sponsoring this legislation? [Brooklyn 11211 via Gothamist] Monthly Archive […]

  5. […] Williamsburg Having Liquor License Issues [Brooklyn11211] [Image […]

  6. […] has apparently been a hold put on any new bars wishing to open in the neighborhood. According to Brooklyn 11211: On Tuesday, the Executive Committee of CB1 Brooklyn voted unanimously to institute a moratorium on […]

  7. rich rossmassler

    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

  8. […] apparently threatening to cut off the hootch is a good way to pack a community board meeting. Tonight’s CB1 was certainly packed, and the […]

  9. […] should be pointed out that this isn’t the first time this fight has happened, it isn’t the second time it’s happened and this probably […]