AHC0913
Thu, 21 Nov 2002 10:35:57 -0800
Hello Everyone-
I forward on this message so that we can all be informed. Angie Coghlan
--- Begin Message ---Dear neighbors: I'm writing to make sure that you know about a potential restaurant/club in our neighborhood, to see if you'll join us in opposing it as it is currently envisioned, and to ask your assistance in getting the word out to anyone you feel might be affected. If you'd prefer not to ever receive occasional e-mails like this, please let me know and I will take you off of the little list that I have collected. The Track & Turf, a small neighborhood tavern at 4202 Chester, owned by Jack Gillespie, is proposing to expand into 4200 Chester Avenue. The zoning hearing is this Monday, November 25, 2:00, at 1515 Arch Street, 18th Floor. Regent Square Civic Association, which also includes neighbors on 42nd street below Chester, is overwhelmingly opposed to the expansion as it is currently proposed. But we also believe it will affect the neighborhood for many blocks beyond our little corner of University City, and thus wanted to inform you of the project and hearing. I'm including the key points of an alternate proposal we set forth, which will also tell you a little more about the project and why we oppose it. Please let me know if you would like additional information. I hope that you will be able to support us. Thanks. Naomi Segal President Regent Square Civic Association An Alternate Proposal for 4200 Chester Ave, presented 11/18/2002, with minor revisions 11/19/2002 1. We start with the following premise: Mill Creek Tavern, as it is proposed, is really three businesses in one: -- a small neighborhood tavern -- a "3 star American Italian restaurant," serving lunch and dinner until about 10:00 p.m., including a 5 rooms on the second floor for private functions, with seating for over 300 people. -- A nightclub, with a stage, live amplified music and dancing, bar food, special security and bouncers, that opens at 10:30 p.m. until about 1:30 a.m. 2. The small neighborhood tavern has existed for over a decade, and we continue to support its existence. 3. We support having a restaurant at 4200 Chester Ave., with multiple provisos, listed below. [These include no stage, no amplified music, no outdoor deck, no dancing, and miscelaneous minor provisions.] 4. We oppose the nightclub part of this plan. It is completely inappropriate for this residential neighborhood, and next to a college. It will bring noise and rowdiness, if not outright crime, that will affect the hundreds of people who live within one block of 4200 Chester, and for many surrounding blocks due to the shortage of nearby parking, until past 1:30 a.m., as many as 7 nights/week. [We were told music would be as often 'as the traffic will bear'.] No amount of soundproofing of the establishment will soundproof the partying patrons as they return to their homes or cars, or wait for the intermittent trolleys to take them home. No amount of security will control the behavior of drunken patrons exiting the club until 2:00 a.m. It will cause a dramatic decline in property values. It will destabilize a neighborhood that has been on the upswing. [the rest of the proposal lists the various provisos]--- End Message ---