ROSIE MENDEZ

COUNCIL MEMBER, 2
ND

CHAIR - COMMITTEE PUBLIC HOUSING _______________________________ COMMITTEES HEALTH HOUSING & BUILDINGS

DISTRICT

DISTRICT OFFICE 237 FIRST AVENUE, #504 NEW YORK, NY 10003 (212) 677-1077 FAX: (212) 677-1990 CITY HALL OFFICE 250 BROADWAY, ROOM 1734 NEW YORK, NY 10007 (212) 788-7366 FAX: (212) 442-2738

THE COUNCIL
OF

LAND USE LOWER MANHATTAN REDEVELOPMENT _______________________________ SUB COMMITTEE LANDMARKS, PUBLIC SITING & MARITIME ISSUES

THE CITY OF N EW YORK

rmendez@council.nyc.gov

January 9th, 2013 New York State Liquor Authority Office of the Secretary 80 South Swan Street, Suite 9 Albany, NY 12210 Re: Chef Driven Market, LLC: 141NEWOP1265787252 To Whom It May Concern: As a collection of concerned elected officialsincluding the Council Member who represents Union Square Park and the surrounding neighborhoodwe write today to express united opposition to Chef Driven Market LLCs (hereinafter, CDM) application for a liquor license in the Union Square Park Childrens Pavilion. In the June 2012 recommendations set forth by Community Board Five Manhattan, it was requested that CDM discourage customers from loitering outside the premises at any time and maintain a visual barrier between the childrens playground and patrons eating and drinking; however, these suggestions alone are not enough to ensure the safety of the children. The underlying request for a liquor license appears to violate the 500-foot rule1, as the near entirety of Union Square Park is ringed with bars and restaurants including more than a dozen establishments serving alcohol directly across the street from this area of Union Square Park. Moreover, the restaurant is directly positioned in a manner that literally encompasses the entire childrens playground; this unique proximity poses safety risks for children and their parents. We strongly object to the Department of Parks and Recreations decision to approve a restaurant seeking a liquor license on city property. It is disconcerting that the Department of Parks and Recreation would overlook the premise and spirit of the 200 foot rule2 whichamong other thingsprohibits a liquor license
1 2

Pursuant to Section 64, Subsection 7(b) et seq. of the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. Pursuant to Section 64, Subsection 7(a) of the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.

within 200 feet of a school. The Playground located in Union Squares Childrens Pavilion is utilized by school aged children and toddlers alike. As such, we are deeply concerned about the number of impressionable young children who will be exposed to the promotion of alcohol and an alcohol-based atmosphere within the confines of the park. Given that both drinking and smoking are prohibited in our city parks3, it is impermissible that such activities should take place within the confines of Union Square Park in direct proximity to children. We respectfully request that the State Liquor Authority (SLA) deny the current application for a new liquor license for Chef Driven Market LLC. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Please feel free to contact any or all three of us with any questions or comments. Respectfully,

Rosie Mendez Council Member, District 2

Dan Garodnick Council Member, District 4

Gale A. Brewer Council Member, District 6

Drinking is prohibited pursuant to New York City Administrative Code, Section 10-125; Smoking is prohibited pursuant to Local Law 11 of 2011.