Res. No. 1516
Resolution calling on the New York State Liquor Authority to require all liquor license applications to include a security and community safety plan and limit liquor service for certain establishments.
By Council Members James, Ferreras, Rose, Palma and Rodriguez
Whereas, The New York State Liquor Authority ("SLA") regulates state licensing to sell liquor under the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; and
Whereas, The SLA works cooperatively with community leaders and industry representatives to ensure participation by all stakeholders in the licensing and enforcement processes; and
Whereas, In the interest of protecting local communities and their residents, the SLA requires anyone applying for a liquor license to submit a 30-day notification form to the local community board; and
Whereas, The 30-day notification process is to meant to afford all affected parties the ability to voice their opposition to or support of the proposed business; and
Whereas, The Barclays Center is a sports arena located at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues in Brooklyn, New York, which will hold sporting events and concerts that seat upwards of 20,000 individuals at any given event; and
Whereas, The Barclays Center and other arenas of comparable size can contain separate establishments, such as restaurants, bars and nightclubs that serve liquor; and
Whereas, Although the Barclays Center has complied with the 30-day liquor license notification requirement to the local community boards and has been subsequently granted the authority by the SLA to serve alcohol during ticketed events at the arena, they failed to adequately inform the public how they plan to ensure public safety during events; and
Whereas, Arenas, such as the Barclays Center, located in densely populated urban areas, should have a comprehensive community safety plan presented to the public describing how resident and public safety will be ensured and the efforts they will make to prohibit underage consumption of alcohol; and
Whereas, Additionally, arenas in New York City should stop liquor sales forty-five minutes before the end of a ticketed event or at 10 p.m., whichever comes first; and
Whereas, Furthermore, any establishment that serves alcohol within the arena should stop liquor sales forty-five minutes before the end of a ticketed event or at 10 p.m., whichever comes first, and should stop liquor sales at 10 p.m. when there is no ticketed event; and
Whereas, These additional safeguards will further enhance the public's safety during and after events at facilities throughout the City; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Liquor Authority to require all liquor license applications to include a security and community safety plan and limit liquor service for certain establishments.
WJH
LS 3650
8/27/12