BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/PERMITS & LICENSES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2013
PRESENT:
E. ANDERSON D. BRAVO E. CAUSIL-RODRIGUEZ
J. FRIEDMAN T. MISKEL R. MYERS
L. PINN J. PORCELLI M. RACIOPPO G. REILLY M. SHAMES M. SILVERMAN
EXCUSED:
P. BLAKE G. KELLY S. LONIAL
T. REEVES
ABSENT:
Z. ABRAMS S. MILLER M. SCOTT
B. STOLTZ R. UNDERWOOD
GUESTS:
P. O’CONNOR D. ROMAN G. RUTA
P. WATSON
***MINUTES***
The meeting was called to order at 6:39 PM.
Orientation: Rules, regulations, and procedures governing committee participation.
Chairs of the committee Gary Reilly and Mark Shames outlined the expectations and procedures for the new members.
A quorum was reached at 6:48 PM.
Review of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina at 276 Smith Street (between Sackett/Degraw Streets) in our district.
Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina was represented by Paul O’Connor and David Roman.
The applicant provided proof of notification and supplied the committee members with the responses to the Brooklyn CB6 questionnaire. The applicant indicated the intention to open a “casual-upscale Mexican restaurant featuring a traditional Mexican menu” (the applicant claims they will have “the best guacamole in the city”) at the location of a previous restaurant Arthur on Smith. The applicant stated that, in fact, they are seeking a transfer of the existing permit at the location. The applicant intends to seat 45 people at tables and between 8 and 10 at the bar. They
do not intend to operate a sidewalk café. They do not have an immediate plan to utilize the small backyard on premises for public use. There was nobody present from the community to comment.
Matthew Silverman asked about the 2 swing-open windows on the frontage of the premises in connection to live music. The applicant replied that live music will be rare (likely only a Mariachi band once annually on Cinco de Mayo, and possibly only a few other similar holidays). The applicant agreed to make efforts to control excessive noise.
Regina Myers asked about the floor plan, if the applicant was planning on making any changes. The applicant responded that they may reorganize the layout of tables and chairs to increase capacity but basically no.
Gary Reilly inquired about the yard on premises. The applicant reaffirmed that the yard will not be for public use.
Joseph Porcelli asked about the applicant’s requested closing time of 4 AM on weekdays and Saturday. The applicant responded that 4 AM is a standard closing time for comparable establishments in New York City and that their other establishments have been granted such, even though they don’t always use it.
Matthew Silverman moved that the application be approved as presented, but then withdrew the
motion so that Regina Myers could comment.
Regina Myers asked the applicants if they felt this new establishment would be more of a bar or a restaurant (based on the more bar-oriented nature of the applicant’s other establishments). The applicant responded that Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina would be more of a restaurant, remarking that their other establishments represented their youth and this would be more of a “grown-up” venture.
Gary Reilly moved that the application be approved as presented and Tom Miskel seconded the motion. The motion passed with 11 votes in favor and 1 abstention for cause from Regina Myers due to affiliations in the area. There was a quorum present.
VOTE: 11…..YEAS 0…..NAYS 1…..ABSTENTION FOR CAUSE
MOTION PASSED
Review of a new on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of La Bottega Red Hook LLC at 215 Columbia Street (between Sackett/Union Streets) in our district.
La Bottega was represented by Giuseppe Ruta.
The applicant presented proof of notification and supplied the committee members with responses to the Brooklyn CB 6 questionnaire. The applicant stated the intention to open a
restaurant with “Italian casual cuisine” at the location of a previous pizzeria. The applicant envisions seating for 45 people at tables and 8 at the bar. La Bottega is a chain with 4 franchises currently and started on Long Island 11 years ago; This Brooklyn location would be corporate owned by the founding partners. A sidewalk café is not applicable and backyard not being used. There was nobody present from the community to comment.
Gary Reilly double-checked about the outdoor space. The applicant reaffirmed that it will not be used, but possibly next year if allowed.
Matthew Silverman inquired about how the restaurant will be managed. The applicant responded that there will be a full-time manager on premises and that he will also be on hand to run the establishment personally.
Regina Myers moved that the application be approved as presented and Tom Miskel seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A quorum was present.
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY
Presentation and review of a renewable revocable consent unenclosed sidewalk café permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Stinky Vine, LLC dba The Jake Walk at 282 Smith Street (between Union/Sackett Streets) to permit 8 tables and 16 seats.
The Jake Walk was represented by Patrick Watson.
The applicant was seeking the 2nd renewal, in 5 years of operation, for a sidewalk café permit. The applicant claimed there would be no changes to the set-up and there’s never been any complaints made. Gary Reilly affirmed there are no complaints on record. The applicant reiterated the current hours of operation for the sidewalk café: 11 PM Sunday to Thursday; 12 AM otherwise. The applicant acknowledged that on occasion they get some push from restaurant workers in the area who wish to use the sidewalk café after working their shifts on weekdays (a high form of flattery in the restaurant world) but The Jake Walk staff is diligent about starting to shut down the sidewalk café at 10:30 PM and moving patrons indoors. There was nobody present from the community to comment.
Mark Shames moved that the application be approved with “maintenance of current stipulations” and Tom Miskel seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A quorum was present.
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY
Matthew Silverman asked if it’s necessary going forward for sidewalk café permit renewals without any issues to be voted on by the committee (especially, in terms of time management, when there may be many other agenda items up for discussion and vote). Gary Reilly referred Matthew to contact the district office and report back.
A motion was made by Joseph Porcelli and seconded by Tom Miskel to approve the minutes of the prior meeting. The motion passed with 11 votes in favor and 1 abstention from Eric Anderson, who wasn’t present at the prior meeting. There was a quorum present.
A motion to adjourn was made by Gary Reilly and seconded by Tom Miskel (as well as, simultaneously, most everyone else present). The meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM.
Minutes submitted by Jeremy Friedman.