Brooklyn Nightlife
Avenue D Nightlife Leaves Neighborhood Hung Over
By Helen Klein
10/12/2006
The existence of a plethora of bars and night clubs cheek by jowl with residential areas is diminishing the quality of life for those who live nearby.
That was the complaint voiced during the September meeting of Community Board 17, which was held at the New Life Tabernacle Church, 4905 Avenue D.
Juanita Anderson spoke about a bar at Avenue D and Clarendon Road that has been negatively affecting the quality-of-life for the community.
The noise from people spilling onto the sidewalk, she said, “Goes on from 11 p.m. sometimes to six in the morning. What do we need to do to change the situation? It’s really getting out of hand.”
The problem, said Inspector Robert Boyce, is that patrons are not allowed to smoke inside such establishments. Boyce, who was the commanding officer of the 67th Precinct at the time of the meeting has since moved on to another assignment.
“They go outside to smoke, speak, and disturb the quiet of the neighborhood. We get numerous complaints of noise,” Boyce added, telling the crowd that officers from the precinct will “sit outside with their noise meters. We make sure they don’t walk outside with alcohol. I wish he was in a commercial area. If he were on Utica Avenue, it would be better. The problem,” he stressed, “is that the bar shouldn’t be there.”
“We are seeing bars opening up in areas that are very close to residential areas,” pursued Valerie Booth. “Is there anything we can do as residents to prevent them from opening up there?”
The issue is one of zoning, rejoined Boyce. “I can reel off about 10 different locations where there is a bar across the street from homes.” And that, he added, is a recipe for discontent. “When they are right across the street from residential areas is when problems arise.”
Assemblymember Helene Weinstein said that, on the state level, representatives are trying to get laws passed, “To make sure community boards are notified so there is an opportunity for communities to have their say before the State Liquor Authority.
“Once something has opened, it’s very difficult to close it, short of illegal activity,” she added.
source: courierlife.net
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