Fells Prospect Community Association letter of opposition to Crossbar

Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 9:32 PM
Subject: Opposition Brett Austin & Joshua Foti, 18 Cross, LLC T/a Crossbar
To: Douglas Paige, Jane Schroeder
From: Victor Corbin, FPCA president
CC: Brooke Lierman, Bill Ferguson, Luke Clippinger, Brian McHale, James Kraft, Liam Davis, Joanne Masopust

June 24, 2013

Dear Commissioners

On June 11, 2013 the Fells Prospect Community Association (FPCA) voted 31 to 1 to support the coalition of community groups in Federal Hill with their opposition to Brett Austin & Joshua Foti, 18 Cross, LLC T/a Crossbar, 12-18 E. Cross Street – Class “BD7” Beer, Wine & Liquor license – Application for transfer of class BD7 license at the location 12-14 E. Cross Street and 51% protest concerning expansion to include 16-18 E. Cross Street as part of the licensed premises

Although FPCA has appeared before this board numerous times dealing with problematic bars and to weigh it on transfers both in support and opposition, the association wants to make it clear we are not anti-bar. We do however believe that this issue reaches far beyond Federal Hill. The association feels this application is setting a frightening precedent and could be used as an example to applicants and establishments across Baltimore City and here in the greater Fell’s Point Community.

This affects all residents of the 46th District because of the moratorium on liquor licenses being transferred into this district. The applicants planned expansion and increased capacity is a way of circumventing the moratorium.

It is our opinion that the area is over saturated with liquor establishments and the addition could harm existing businesses. Neighborhood associations have been struggling against the deleterious effects of over-concentration of late night bars, clubs and discotheques. The community’s concerns regarding over saturation of bars and clubs are an increase in late-night noise, streets too overburdened with drunken revelers and traffic on residential streets. This application is additionally troublesome due to its large expansion plans. The amount of police resources already deployed to Federal Hill on a weekly base is tremendous.

Finally, this transfer does not demonstrate any of the following provisions outline in Article 2B section 10-202 (a)

– The impact on the general health safety and welfare of the community including issues relating to crime, traffic conditions, parking or convenience.

State law also requires an applicant to prove “public benefit”, with over 35 bars already in Federal Hill we feel they have not.

Please read this statement of opposition into the record and made a permanent part of the official file.

Respectfully,

Victor Corbin
President
Fells Prospect Community Association