Lancman Decries Governor’s Veto Of Bill To Keep Bars
Away From Schools and Churches
Problem Is Particularly Acute In
Queens
Governor David Paterson vetoed legislation to
close a loophole which some bars and restaurants use to violate the
spirit of New York’s alcohol control act, making it more likely that
neighborhoods will continue to see an explosion in alcohol related
businesses.
Presently, establishments that serve alcohol
cannot be within 200 feet of a school or house of worship. However,
since this distance is not measured from property line to property line
but from door to door, bars have located right next to schools and
churches but still technically 200 feet from entrance to entrance.
Indeed, some establishments have sought to skirt the 200 feet
requirement by relocating their entranceways. The problem is
particularly acute in Queens.
The legislation vetoed by the Governor (
A.11364/S.8362)
would have modified the alcoholic beverage control law so that the
measurement of the distance between businesses that serve alcohol and
schools and places of worship would be from property line to property
line. Changing the point of measurement from the nearest entrance to the
property line would prevent bars and restaurants that serve alcohol from
exploiting the loophole that exists in the current law.
“This is a common sense proposal to improve public
health and safety, and close an obvious loophole in existing law. No
sensible person wants alcohol being sold and consumed so close to the
places that serve our young people.” said Assemblyman Rory Lancman, a
supporter of the vetoed bill. “The Governor’s veto defies explanation,”
added Lancman.
