New Regulations for Outdoor Drinking?
At this month’s CB6 Public Safety committee meeting, there will be a discussion about an Assembly Bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Millman to amend the alcohol beverage control law in relation to rooftop and rear yard bars. The bill stipulates that “rear yard and rooftop permits in cities with a population of one million or more”…
At this month’s CB6 Public Safety committee meeting, there will be a discussion about an Assembly Bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Millman to amend the alcohol beverage control law in relation to rooftop and rear yard bars. The bill stipulates that “rear yard and rooftop permits in cities with a population of one million or more” would have to meet the following requirements: There is only waiter service to patrons in outdoor areas; no amplified music is allowed; and the outdoor spaces will close at 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends. As the bills states, “Such outdoor use tends to be disruptive for residents who live within earshot because of the late hours of operation and the high noise levels that have the capacity to travel into their homes. This legislation recognizes the need for a balance between these sometimes competing interests.” (We’re sure some folks over at CB1 would be pleased!) If you care to discuss hear the community board committee’s take on the proposal, its meeting is on April 25th at 6pm.
Text of Bill [Word Doc]
Photo by owen.iverson
I think this is a good bill that has its place in the continued evolution of business and residential interests… Like Pete said, a lot of operations with backyard activity are new, so the question of “who was here first” doesn’t go very far.
The noise code is enforced by the ECB and is notoriously difficult to get any enforcement. This would codify specific requirements as to hours and methods of operation as a condition of licensing to serve alcohol. Rules would be much clearer, uniform (although allowing the CB’s some flexibility to grant exemptions) and easier to enforce.
Isn’t there already a noise code on the books?
STARGAZER, this fashion of backyard usage for bars and restaurants is new. Past decade.
If noise was coming from a real estate office or some other unfavored business late at night – your attitude would be different.
posters on this site are so squeamish about the slightest little bit of traffic or temporary construction anywhere near a listed property but are perfectly OK with bars and clubs making noise all through the night?
PLEASE, how many times do neighbors complain of noises from establishments only to find out they (the establishments) were there first before the new residential buildings…..i am thinking 4th ave here…get where I am going????
“waiter service only” just means that there cannot be a bar out there, not that there has to be waiters. and tybur, yes, most places do but my understanding is that is by agreement between neighbors, landlords and establishments, not by legal requirement.
i fully support this. having reasonable expectations voted into law and put on the books makes it easier for everyone, including the cops who aren’t forced to mediate as many noise disputes every weekend. and it avoids a prime-6 style fight every time a new bar wants to open up but the landlord hasn’t made appropriate restrictions in the lease.
dh – this appears to apply to rear yard (not front yard) and rooftop bars only, within 500 feet of a residential area.
stargazer – you do understand that new bars open up all the time, right? in places that used to be video stores and bodegas and eyeglasses stores and day cares and empty storefronts? by your logic, we should also prevent any change in usage for all eternity, in order to protect people who’ve already bought into the area, right? pretty simple!
Then don’t buy a home near a bar.
It really is simple.
yeah i was just gonna comment on the continued pussification of nyc, but looks like a bunch of you beat me to it.
*rob*