Relates to making the provisions governing liquor licenses consistent with respect to public interest factors

Summary of provisions

Sections 1 through 4 of the bill would amend ABC Law §§ 64(6-a), 64-a, 64-b and 64-c to establish a consistent standard with respect to the factors that may be considered by the SLA when determining whether public convenience and advantage, and the public interest will be promoted by the grant of a specific on-premises liquor license to a particular applicant.

Sections 5 through 8 Adds that before issuing a license within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licenses, the SLA will give due consideration of formal communication from the municipality or community.

Section 9 of the bill would provide for an immediate effective date.

Justification

Current ABC Law § 64(6-a) sets forth certain factors that the SLA can consider when evaluating the merits of an application for an on-premises restaurant liquor license. However, the ABC Law does not explicitly state that such factors may be considered for on-premises liquor licenses at taverns (§ 64-a), bottle clubs (§ 64-b), or restaurant-brewer (§ 64-c).

In 1993, Article 5 of the ABC Law provided for essentially three types of on-premises liquor license: restaurant (§ 64), tavern (§ 64-a), and bottle club (§ 65-b). An over-concentration of restaurant and tavern licenses in mixed residential-commercial neighborhoods was found by the Legislature to have a negative impact on the quality of life for residents in many of these areas of over concentration. The Legislature's desire to protect residents from existing and potential problems associated with an over-concentration of restaurants and taverns prompted enactment of Chapter 670 of the Laws of 1993, which gave the SLA the permissive power to consider any or all of the following factors when evaluating the merits of a new application for an on-premises liquor license:

(a) the number, classes and character of licenses in proximity to the SPONSOR: SQUA location and in the particular municipality or subdivision thereof;

(b) evidence that all necessary licenses and permits have been obtained from the state and all other governing bodies;

(c) effect of the grant of the license on vehicular traffic and parking in proximity to the location;

(d) the existing noise level at the location and any increase in noise level that would be generated by the proposed premises;

(e) the history of liquor violations and reported criminal activity at the proposed premises; and (0 the history of building and fire violations at any businesses owned and/or operated by the applicant;

(g) history of city of New York community Board Opinions and Decisions made pursuant to the alcohol and beverage control law for businesses owned and/or operated by the applicant; and

(h) any other factors specified by law or regulation that are relevant to determine the "public convenience and advantage and public interest" of the community.

This legislative grant of power had the effect of overruling the decision of the Court of Appeals in Matter of Circus Disco Ltd. v. New York State Liquor Auth.,51 NY.2d 24 (1980), which held in part that under the pre amendment statute, the adverse effect that a new on-premises liquor establishment would have on vehicular traffic, parking, and noise levels was beyond the purview of the SLA. The Court held that those considerations appropriately reside within the exclusive discretion of local zoning officials. In 2000, ABC Law 64-d(7) was amended and requires the SLA to consider all of the factors this bill would mandate when determining whether public convenience and advantage and the public interest would be promoted by the grant of a cabaret liquor license. Amendment of ABC Law §§ 64 (restaurant), 64-a (tavern), 64-b (bottle club), and 64-c (restaurant-brewer) - to more consistently parallel ABCL § 64-d (7), is desirable in order to make consistent all of the factors that may be considered by the SLA when determining whether public convenience and advantage and the public interest will be promoted by the grant of a specific on-premises liquor license to a particular applicant.

Legislative history

2008: S.7374/A.11162 2009-10: S.5577A/A.8519A - Passed Senate 2012: Referred to Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business

Fiscal implications

None.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.