What's happening
This bill allows a specific premises in Manhattan (Paramount Plaza) to receive a retail liquor license despite being within 200 feet of a place of worship.
Why it matters
Creates a special exemption. for one specific location (Paramount Plaza in Manhattan), allowing it to obtain a retail liquor license even though it is within 200 feet of a place of worship—something generally prohibited under New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
Demonstrates how site-specific carve-outs. can be used to bypass statewide rules, potentially setting a precedent for other businesses or property owners to seek similar legislative exceptions, which could chip away at the intent of the original law.
Impacts the local community and neighboring institutions. by prioritizing economic or commercial interests (such as new restaurants or bars) over the concerns of nearby religious institutions, raising questions about the balance between business development and community sensitivities.
Highlights the influence and lobbying power. that can be involved in liquor licensing in New York City, as only a well-connected or highly motivated entity is likely to secure such a narrowly tailored legislative exemption.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Alcohol Near Manhattan Church
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to economic development
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.531
- Print number 6383a
- Amend and recommit to commerce, economic development and small business
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Alcohol Near Manhattan Church
In Assembly Committee · Economic Development · Sponsor Richard Gottfried
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6383--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 7, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BENJAMIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules -- recommitted to the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to a license to sell liquor at retail for consumption on certain premises
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section 64 of the alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new paragraph (e-12) to read as follows:
(e-12) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the authority may issue a retail license for on-premises consumption for a premises which shall be located within two hundred feet of a building occupied as a church, synagogue or other place of worship, provided such premises constitute a premises for the sale of food or beverages at retail for consumption on the premises located wholly within the boundaries of the borough of Manhattan in the city and county of New York, bounded and described as follows:
All that certain tract, piece or parcel of land situate in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, State of New York, known as Paramount Plaza as represented on a map entitled "EXISTING BUILDING FOOTPRINT" dated January 2, 2019 as prepared by Maser Consulting and being more particularly bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the northeasterly interior wall corner; thence along the easterly wall the following five (5) courses and distances:
1. South 00°00'00" East 16.85 feet to a point;
2. North 90°00'00" West 4.50 feet to a point;
3. South 00°00'00" East 5.38 feet to a point;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13022-03-0
S. 6383--A 2
4. North 90°00°00" West 2.75 feet to a point;
5. South 00°00'00" East 48.35 feet to a point on the southerly interior wall; thence along said southerly wall North 90°00'00" West, a distance of 40.38 feet to a point on the exterior face of the existing retail space; thence along the exterior face South 00°00'00" East, a distance of 1.42 feet to a point on proposed exterior dining area, thence along said proposed exterior dining area the following three (3) courses and distances:
1. North 90°00'00" West 13.71 feet to a point;
2. North 00°00'00" East 75.51 feet to a point;
3. North 90°00'00" East 13.71 feet to a point on the exterior face of the existing retail space; thence along the exterior face South 00°00'00" East, a distance of 3.50 feet to a point; thence along the northerly interior wall North 90°00'00" East 47.63 feet to the point of beginning, containing 4,023± square feet.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to a license to sell liquor at retail for consumption on certain premises
Purpose
This bill will authorize the issuing of a retail liquor license to a business in the County of New York that is within a two hundred foot proximity of a religious institution.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section64 of the alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new paragraph (e-11) to authorize the issuing of a retail license for on-premises consumption for a premises which shall be located within two hundred feet of a building occupied as a church, synagogue or other place of worship, provided such premises constitute a premises for the sale of a food or beverages at a retail for consumption on the premises located wholly within the County of New York.
Justification
Princi, located at 1633 Broadway, is an Italian bakery serving break- fast, lunch and dinner. The bakery is currently licensed to sell beer and wine on premises, as has done so since opening late last year. In that time, Princi has proven itself to be a responsible and valuable addition to the Times Square business community. The business closes at 10:00 on weeknights, 11:00 pm on Fridays and midnight on Saturday; these closing times are similar to or earlier than other business in the imme- diate vicinity. There are thirty-seven (37) other licensed premises within 500 feet of the proposed establishment, which are comprised of bars, restaurants, theatres and five (5) hotels. Princi is a specialty Italian bakery and a Starbucks coffeehouse focusing on the Starbucks Reserve coffees. It offers a far different atmosphere than all of the other thirty-seven (37) licensed premises and will meet an untapped need of the local community. It currently employs approximately fifteen (15) individuals at the premises, supporting job opportunities in the local area.
Legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.