Author Archives: ldna

http://www.ltlc.org/stepstohome

There are 2 License Commission meetings Thursday

5 PM to discuss the proposed rules & regulations

630 PM regular meeting
Downtown related items:

1. Special events permit for amplified outdoor public entertainment applications Christopher Samaras, City of Lowell, sound system for band and/or disc jockey, City of Lowell and Center City Committee event, Saturday, June 2, 2012, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Palmer Street between Market & Middle Streets

Hearing continued from May 3, 2012 on the allegations of misconduct as charged by Kenneth E. Lavallee, Superintendent of Police, against Mr. Jalapeno, Inc., Brendan T. Doucette, Manager

• patrons not of legal age furnished alcohol beverages on licensed premises – MGL c. 138, s. 34, 2 counts

• failure to properly label a tap, faucet, or draughting device – MGL c. 138, s. 12

• failure to maintain the licensed premises in a clean and sanitary condition – 204CMR2.05(8)

• failure to display Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission warning signs – MGL c. 138, ss. 34A, 34D, 2 counts

agenda.2012-05-15

I was at a meeting last night so missed the city council. I am grateful that councilor Kennedy brought this up last week after hearing from Chief Lavallee and councilor Martin made a motion to discuss this week. Story in today’s SUN.  council-unifies-downtown-crackdown



“The council voted unanimously to request that City Solicitor Christine O’Connor report on the feasibility of the council adopting ordinances based on Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee’s suggestions to the License Commission for addressing downtown disorder. Martin said Tuesday that some bar owners have expressed that they will only comply with new rules if they are forced to. “So we should make them,” said Martin.”


At a city council meeting in February Finbar Sheehan spoke eloquently on behalf of the 94% of responsible liquor licensed establishment owners that developed these best practices, now “rules”, and are already voluntarily in compliance.


It is hard to say if the License Commission could have dealt with a handful of irresponsible business owners or if the city does indeed need to establish ordinances to address specific issues. Either way Councilor Martin is correct that the tiny number of bars who will not comply with the rules should be forced to; so we should make them.

And then there are the more mundane everyday issues that need to be resolved and how you get business owners and residents to find common ground and a way to share a “mixed-use” space. It’s not rocket science (we leave that to John Noto) cities allover the country manage to find the balance. Almost 16 years ago when I moved downtown there were 4 bars, a few stores, lots of subsidized housing units and everything else was pretty much empty. There was an item at this weeks ZBA that caught my attention because it is something I completely overlooked at a resident. The application is for the owner of 104-110 Merrimack St. to convert the upper 2 floors of their building from commercial to residential condos. Why you ask? There is no elevator! After sinking a bundle of money into rehabbing the ground floor retail spaces; I imagine the owners can not afford to install an elevator (this was also an issue for Brian’s Ivy Hall, they had to prove they had access to the elevator in order to comply with ADA requirements before they were issued a permit). Speaking of BIH…these owners are going to build 3 new condos about 100 feet away from BIH. What could possibly go wrong! How to end the chicken-and-egg argument? Who was here first and who has “priority” the bar or the soon-to-be residents?

The Zoning Board of Appeals took a giant pre-emptive leap in the right direction; they issued the license to proceed but with the requirement that noise reduction measures are included in the plan. The owners’ architect, Mr. Jay Mason, agreed that the city established noise ordinance for DMU of 50 decibels could certainly be achieved.

I’m quietly pausing right now in honor of the logic of this decision… Instead of spending so much time arguing and pointing fingers about who should have done what when whoever was building whatever… let’s say going forward we: 1. Identify ways to balance the needs of those already here 2. Before developing new projects make sure to consider what mediation measures are necessary in a mixed-use area for things like noise, recycling, access, etc. and make them conditions for development whether business or residential. Burden-sharing!

Come make a difference – Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8AM to 5 PM
Come to a day full of fun events that give back to your community! From park clean-ups to bike tune-ups, kickball, yoga and more you are certain to find an activity that fits your mood!

http://lowellgivebackday.wordpress.com/

License Commission of the City of Lowell is scheduled to take place in the Council Chamber, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

Downtown related agenda items:

Special events permit for amplified outdoor public entertainment applications:

Middlesex Community College, Mary-Jo Griffin, Director of Public Affairs, for Friday, May 11, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Campus Spring Fling @ campus quad adj. to MCC City Campus, 33 Kearney Sq., sound system for live music, disc jockey, public address.

Lowell Transitional Living Center, Philip Maynard, Board of Directors-Clerk, Sun., June 10, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Steps to Home – Walk to End Homelessness, sound system for d.j., parking lot at Canal and Jackson Streets.

Hearing continued from April 12, 2012 on the application by CB Enterprises Inc., d/b/a Majors Pub
Corey Belanger, President, for change of location of license for all alcoholic beverages Restaurant from 34 Jackson St., to 197 Market St. CB Enterprises Inc. has filed applications to transfer licenses for common victualler, and for entertainment in a licensed Restaurant for live music, disc jockey, juke box from premises at 34 Jackson St. to 197 Market St.

The owners of Brian’s Ivy Hall are applying for an additional liquor license to open Finn’s Pub, previously Ole’.
Application by Hayhurst Group Inc., d/b/a Finn’s Pub, Kevin V. Hayhurst, President, for an all alcoholic beverages Restaurant license for premises at 76 Merrimack Street, first and second floors. Additional applications filed by Hayhurst Group Inc. for premises at 76 Merrimack St., first and second floors: license for common victualler; license for entertainment in a licensed restaurant for live music, disc jockey, juke box; license for automatic amusement device.

Note: For both of the items related to Mr. Jalapeno; request for continuance by Atty. George Theodorou, legal counsel for Mr. Jalapeno, Inc., filed April 30, 2012. So the Commission will continue this issue to a later date.
Hearing on the allegations of misconduct as charged by Kenneth E. Lavallee, Superintendent of Police, against Mr. Jalapeno, Inc., Brendan T. Doucette, Manager, malt beverages & wines only Restaurant licensee at 124 Merrimack Street, for violation of law and regulations that Lowell police report took place on the premises March 10, 2012.
-patrons not of legal age furnished alcohol beverages on licensed premises – MGL c. 138, s. 34 [2 counts]
-failure to properly label a tap, faucet, or draughting device – MGL c. 138, s. 12
-failure to maintain the licensed premises in a clean and sanitary condition – 204CMR2.05(8)
-failure to display Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission warning signs – MGL c. 138, ss. 34A, 34D [2 counts]
-no licensee for the sale of alcoholic beverages shall permit any disorder, disturbance, or illegality of any kind to take place in or on the licensed premises. The licensee shall be responsible therefore, whether present or not – 204CMR 2.05 (2)
Public hearing by the License Commission to consider the public need in accordance with section 12 of chapter 138, MGL, to decrease hours for the sales of alcoholic beverages during the calendar week from 2:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. for Mr. Jalapeno, Inc., Brendan T. Doucette, Manager, malt beverages & wines only Restaurant licensee at 124 Merrimack Street.

We are delighted to announce the return of a trad seisiun to The OC on Thursday April 26 at 7:30. Come experience the lilting sounds of Aisling Keating & Friends.

This top notch entertainment is free and you can help us make this a regular event by showing up in numbers. PLEASE SUPPORT!!

Aisling Keatings link: http://www.mymusicvisions.com/about.htm


SATURDAY
Neighborhood Clean-Up Day! 9 – Noon. Meet at Mack Plaza.
You don’t have to commit 3-hours 1/2 hour or an hour of your time will make a difference.
I have heard from Joan Kerzner that Boott Mills residents will be working on the Riverwalk.

MONDAY
LDNA Meeting, April 23rd, 7 PM
Agenda;
George Russell, Northern Middlesex Community of Governments, will give a brief presentation about the Regional Disaster Mitigation Plan.

Also on Monday night 7:30 there will be a Candlelight Walk from Senior Center on Broadway to City Hall. I thought some residents may want to walk in honor of the memory of Alison Myrick.