[Neighbors] FW: proposed change in alcohol waiver ordinance

[Beverly Hill via Neighbors_nobhill-nm]

Posted with permission and by request of the original sender: 

From: markbiggs at comcast.net 
To: theboard at nobhill-nm.com 
Cc: ronhalbgerwachs at peoplepc.com 
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2016 10:17 AM
Subject: proposed change in alcohol waiver ordinance


I've lived in the Nob Hill neighborhood for over 28 years.  In that time, the number of bars and restaurants serving alcohol on Central between Girard and Central has surged. While that development has clearly been a boon for the nightlife in the area,  I believe it's also contributed to increased vehicle traffic, parking issues, trash and other issues in the surrounding neighborhood. In light of the fact that many of the restaurants and bars are well established and clearly profitable, I find it difficult to understand why looser liquor regulations and tacit incentives to encourage more bars to open are being proposed.  There are a limited number of churches and schools in this zone, and the existing regulations provide a reasonable buffer around those institutions. I think those buffers are reasonable here as they are in the rest of the city and should be preserved.  If the City Council wants to incentivize development in the area, I'd hope they focus on the struggling retail sector rather than the thriving bars, and preserve a true mixed use area.



The proposed language in the ordinance also cites similar changes in downtown Albuquerque.  First, I think Nob Hill differs markedly from the downtown area, since we have many residential homes adjacent to the businesses on Central, and those homes could be affected by more traffic, increased on street parking, and potential vandalism by bar patrons. Second, while the change in the alcohol regulations certainly encouraged more bars to open there and was a revitalization in that sense, the downside is that downtown how has a reputation as a more dangerous place to go - which is directly attributable to the domination of the bar scene in that area.

When you vote on these proposed changes to the alcohol waiver ordinance, I encourage you to consider the impact on residents and reject the change.



Mark Biggs

319 Dartmouth NE


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