Union Hall Wins Support From Community Board 6
(photo by Bryan Bruchman)
We were at the Community Board 6 meeting last night where the resolution to recommend non-renewal of Union Hall’s liquor license was on the agenda. Not only was the resolution voted down with rather vocal support from a number of well-spoken supporters on the board who made a great case for the bar and arts venue, but a new resolution was made to recommend supporting the renewal of the license. This resolution passed with what appeared to be a solid majority.
The general opinion of the board members who supported Union Hall seemed to be that the owners of the venue have been good operators who have gone out of their way to try and accommodate their neighbors and that the neighbors who have complained about the venue have unfairly forgone mediation of their issues before calling for unwarranted punishment. Details about the issue and Union Hall’s efforts to address neighbors’ concerns can be found here.
As far as community board meetings go, the general turnout for this one was high and the turnout of supporters for Union Hall was quite impressive — all available seats were filled and people were standing along the walls. Surveying the attendees, we estimated that more than half of the non-board members in the room were there to support the venue.
As explained last night by the board’s chairperson, Richard Bashner, and other members, the issue of recommending or not recommending liquor license renewals to the State Liquor Authority is something relatively new to the body. It was gratifying to see our own community board carefully weigh the decision and come to a conclusion that we feel sets a fair-minded and just precedent for similar issues that may come up in the future.
After the meeting, a number of supporters gathered outside with signs and cheered the board members who had spoken on the venue’s behalf as they exited.
(photo by Bryan Bruchman)
(photo by Bryan Bruchman)
More photos from the meeting by Bryan Bruchman can be viewed here.
