Midtown Neighborhood Association

                                                                                                                                       Updated October 8

Councilmember Cohn and the Midtown Business Association hosted a meeting in Dec 2008 on the overconcentration of bars / nightclubs in Midtown. Over 100 residents of all ages came -demonstrating widespread concern on this topic. Many beleive our neighborhoods have become victims of their success. Currently, Midtown has an overconcentration of liquor licenses as defined by state law. The Midtown Business Association and the City hired Responsible Hospitality Institue (RHI), a consulting firm whose Board is comprised of hospitality industry executives, in March 2009. RHI consultants met with residents and business owners in August and September to dicuss the creation of a hospitaltiy zone in Midtown and the policies that would govern this "zone".  Several working groups were formed and met to discuss various issues facing businesses and residents in Midtown. As of October, there is no clearly defined boundary for a proposed hospitality zone, however RHI is drafting a final report to be presented in the next few months. We will post it here when it becomes available for public review.  The draft does contain a discussion on ways to protect residential areas, mitigate noise, and manage parking resources so bar patrons aren't parking in mostly residential areas. 

The Midtown Neighborhood Association has two members involved in the various workgroups. Midtown Business Association and community members will continue to meet through the Autumn. Ideally, policy recommendations to improve conditions for residents and businesses will be forthcoming over the next few months. We will post updates here as they become available.

A few bad actors have made residents wary, making it hard for responsible venues and event planners. The majority of businesses in Midtown are good neighbors. Bars and nightclubs in close proximity to residences must be good neighbors. Most of Midtown is residential with a few mixed-use areas, not necessarily a good fit with entertainment uses.

Selling alcohol is a priviledge not a right. Residents have the right under state law to ask for reasonable conditions on noise and hours of operation on any establishement, especially those operating close to residences. Any individual can protest and ask for denial or reasonable condtions. The protest period for new licenses is only 30 days.

See: Information on Protesting an ABC Licensee

Protesting Alcohol Serving Establishments

Reasonable Conditions set by the state can not be over ruled by city entertainment permits  - city rules cannot contradict state law.  Click here for sections of the California Business and Professional Code.

Criteria to lodge a protest: Anyone can protest a new license application or report an existing license holder. Protests of new license applications must be filed within 30 days of the application - it takes a little time to fill out the forms and state why ABC should impose conditions on new businesses. Proximity to residences is a valid argument.

If you currently have a bar or nightclub in your neighborhood that is a nuisance, residents also have the right under the law to file protests (include photos or video when possible) against existing licensees and ask for conditions or sanctions. Protest forms are available on the ABC website: 

http://www.abc.ca.gov/forms/PDFCompl.html

ABC forms must be used and concerns and conditions being sought must be clearly stated.

ABC Sacramento Field Office info: 

                     main page is www.abc.ca.gov  

Example: Individuals can ask for serving hours to end at 10 or 11 PM and no noise beyond the premises. ABC does not address parking - this is a city issue. City entertainment rules cannot overule or contradict conditions imposed by the state. 

If an existing licensee is a problem, report them - they too are held to rules governing their licenses. Protest forms and instructions: http://www.abc.ca.gov/forms/PDFCompl.html

Keywords: If protesting new licenses might include: Undue Concentration and Proximity to Residences. Be as specific as possible in how far residences are from the establishment.
Keywords:  If protesting existing licensees might include: unreasonable noise, litter, graffiti, public drunkenness, property damage, vandalism, sales to minors, etc. - clearly state dates and times offenses took place and include photos or video if possible.