Stop Dance Clubs Opening up In our Residential Neighborhood

[Ramón]

I received the below email earlier today. i think this is an important issue even if you don' t live near Vesuvio's as we don't want Vesuvio's to set a precedent and strong opposition will discourage other neighborhood bars/restaurants from attempting the same.

Dear Neighbors,

We are forwarding to you the important information below on behalf of our neighbors who live in the 8th and Fitzwater area. In addition, we would like you to know that the zoning hearing for this issue will be held on Tuesday, March 9 at Palumbo Recreation Center (10th & Fitzwater) at 7:30pm – 9:30pm


Dear Neighbor:

We need to take action. Vesuvio is working with lawyers to get the licenses it needs to become a dance club (after being shut down this summer for doing so without the necessary permits). Mama Yolanda's has started to go after the same noisy, late-night crowd. If we don't stop it now, others will likely follow.
We've put up with these problems for too long! Police have been called numerous times to respond to fighting, vandalism and excessive noise. It is a waste of resources and is ruining our quality of life in Bella Vista.
If you are concerned about the increased noise, traffic and potential vandalism to Cianfrani Park and the neighborhood, please follow the link below to contact to our elected representatives. Forward this email to your neighbors and friends.
Act today, before it's too late!
Untitled Document <http://time4livin.com/vesuvio/sonh.cfm>

[Hospitalitygirl]

Do you want to keep them only on South Street, or do you oppose that as well? This sounds like a blanket opposition.

[Ramón]

I feel that dance clubs should not be permitted in residential neighborhoods. South Street is fine as it is not residential. But I do not think that a dance club should be allowed to open across the street or right next door to people's homes.

[Hospitalitygirl]

Ok, thank you.

[DCnPhilly]

Originally Posted by Ramón

I feel that dance clubs should not be permitted in residential neighborhoods. South Street is fine as it is not residential. But I do not think that a dance club should be allowed to open across the street or right next door to people's homes.

Unlike the suburbs, urban spaces do not have the same "residential" or "commercial" designation. While South Street does have a reputation as a hot spot for nightlife, it is very residential. In fact the majority of the buildings - including a number of bars - have apartments above them, and there are many rowhouses mixed in with bars, shops, and restaurants, as well as number and very large residential apartment buildings.

I would hardly consider Bella Vista an exclusively residential community, in fact I would love to see it's restaurant, bar, and shopping scene expanded. There are certain things that must be tolerated when living in a dense urban core, and one of them is the diversity of nightlife. It is one thing to campaign against an existing venue with a reputation for breeding crime, but another to assume all late night venues will inevitably breed trouble.

[Hospitalitygirl]

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

I would hardly consider Bella Vista an exclusively residential community, in fact I would love to see it's restaurant, bar, and shopping scene expanded. There are certain things that must be tolerated when living in a dense urban core, and one of them is the diversity of nightlife. It is one thing to campaign against an existing venue with a reputation for breeding crime, but another to assume all late night venues will inevitably breed trouble.

Have you been here lately?

[DCnPhilly]

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

Have you been here lately?

It's probably been a month or two since I've been out in Bella Vista. I don't remember any big nightclubs, but I'd hardly call it a "residential" neighborhood.

[Ramón]

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

It's probably been a month or two since I've been out in Bella Vista. I don't remember any big nightclubs, but I'd hardly call it a "residential" neighborhood.

Well, you would be WRONG.

[Ramón]

Please do not put words in my mouth. I am not assuming that "all late night venues will inevitably breed trouble." but i think it is common sense that most people would not want a loud noisy night club opening up across the street from their home (whether you live in the city, suburbs, country or woods). Bella Vista/QV is very residential (with sections that are more commercial). This petition and my post is against allowing neighborhood restaurants and bars from becoming overcrowded and noisy night clubs.

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

It is one thing to campaign against an existing venue with a reputation for breeding crime, but another to assume all late night venues will inevitably breed trouble.

[DCnPhilly]

Originally Posted by Ramón

Well, you would be WRONG.

It's as residential as any Philadelphia neighborhood, being that it has residences. But - also like any Philadelphia neighborhood - it has shops, restaurants, and bars. I understand wanting to keep out undesirable, nuissance bars but in my opinion, Bella Vista's fabric makes it ripe to become the next Old City.

[desolate]

Dammit I moved to this city and how dare it acts like a city.


You change it to a small quaint village NOW!

Right?

[OldMaestro]

I wish Dance Clubs like Skyline and Space were still around.

[PhillyKev]

I think anyone who moved in after Vesuvio's already existed should have no say in the matter. The place has been there for years, I've been there and had a good time. There aren't many places with reasonable prices, pool tables, decent beer, ok food, and dancing to go to.

Now if they just opened up or were trying to change from what they've already been doing for years, that's another thing. But I get the feeling most in opposition are people who bought there AFTER Vesuvio's was already there.

It's like moving next to a pig farm or airport and complaining about the smell or noise.

[MikePenn]

Originally Posted by desolate

Dammit I moved to this city and how dare it acts like a city.


You change it to a small quaint village NOW!

Right?

Well every Village needs an idiot. Are you looking for work ?

[Ramón]

Originally Posted by desolate

Dammit I moved to this city and how dare it acts like a city.


You change it to a small quaint village NOW!

Right?

So, am i correct in saying that it is your opinion that if you live in a city, there should be no zoning restrictions on bars, restaurants and night clubs and that they should be free to open in any neighborhood and wherever they please without any regulations?

[DCnPhilly]

I don't even know if I'd consider Vesuvio's a "nightclub". It's more like a big bar with a dance floor. When I think "nightclub", I think of a big warehouse hall with shows, multiple DJs, and massive dance floors. Maybe I'm glamorizing my memory of the 90s (or maybe it's a little foggy) but I don't know of anything like that in Philly.

[MikePenn]

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

I don't even know if I'd consider Vesuvio's a "nightclub". It's more like a big bar with a dance floor. When I think "nightclub", I think of a big warehouse hall with shows, multiple DJs, and massive dance floors. Maybe I'm glamorizing my memory of the 90s (or maybe it's a little foggy) but I don't know of anything like that in Philly.

Shampoo
Voyeur
Roxxy

[DCnPhilly]

Originally Posted by MikePenn

Shampoo
Voyeur
Roxxy

I always forget about Voyeur. I think I tried blocking it out.

[PhillyKev]

Originally Posted by DCnPhilly

I don't even know if I'd consider Vesuvio's a "nightclub". It's more like a big bar with a dance floor. When I think "nightclub", I think of a big warehouse hall with shows, multiple DJs, and massive dance floors. Maybe I'm glamorizing my memory of the 90s (or maybe it's a little foggy) but I don't know of anything like that in Philly.

Exactly, it's a neighborhood bar where people could cut loose a bit and dance. It has been for years.

[Ramón]

Originally Posted by PhillyKev

I think anyone who moved in after Vesuvio's already existed should have no say in the matter. The place has been there for years, I've been there and had a good time. There aren't many places with reasonable prices, pool tables, decent beer, ok food, and dancing to go to.

Now if they just opened up or were trying to change from what they've already been doing for years, that's another thing. But I get the feeling most in opposition are people who bought there AFTER Vesuvio's was already there.

It's like moving next to a pig farm or airport and complaining about the smell or noise.

That is exactly the point. Vesuvio's is trying to change their license to a dance club. there has been a lot of negotiations between the neighbors and Vesuvio's. From my understanding, Vesuvios' made a lot of concessions in order to get and keep their license. They have constantly violated their agreements. see the letter below. the neighbors have been very patient with them and have tried numerous times to work thing out with them.


Vesuvio has repeatedly violated a number of the provisos, including:
Designated outdoor seating hours (specified to end at 9:30 weekdays; 10:30 Fri. and Sat.)
Restricted use of outdoor seating (specified to be for dinner customers only; not for people who are just drinking)
Prohibitions against blocking the sidewalk with promotional material
(Vesuvio never actually had the votes to open the cafe in the first place. 31% opposed it and many neighbors never received ballots. The legislation was not supposed to be introduced if 30% or more opposed it.)

. . . the September 2000 agreement with Bella Vista Town Watch specifying that "Neither live entertainment nor music played by disc jockey shall be permitted after midnight."
Misuse of the permit.
According to Dominic Verdi, L&I deputy commissioner: "... they've basically taken the second floor and made it a wide open space for entertainment. The permit only allows entertainment for up to 25 percent of the place."
A local newspaper stated: "While a Special Assembly license is required when a corner bar with a lawful occupancy of more than 50 has a disc jockey, stage, dance floor or performers, Vesuvio regularly hosted events with DJs that attracted up to 400 people."
Demand that Vesuvio remove alcohol-related signage - this was one of many issues cited in a February 2005 letter from the Bella Vista United Civic Association; the letter was prompted by a physical altercation by Vesuvio patrons that included violence and weapons. The liquor and drink special ads have since increased.
Help get Vesuvio's liquor license revoked for repeated offenses and quality of life infringements, including:
Being found in violation of Section 493 of the Liquor Code for serving alcohol to a minor in March 2006.
Being shut down by the Department of Licenses and Inspections in July 2009 for underage drinking, a fire code violation, and misuse of the second floor.
Violating smoking ordinances by allowing smoking in doorways and the outdoor cafe area.
Not monitoring activity on its sidewalk; allowing excessive noise and patrons to carry alcoholic beverages outside.
Keeping the door to the bar open, so that the noise and music spills into the street.
Encouraging patrons to use Cianfrani Park for smoking, parking (dozens of) bicycles and loud, after-hours socializing, resulting in vandalism and destruction of park property.
A news article quoted co-owner Michael D'Addesi promoting the launch of "Hotties for Happy Hours" every Wednesday. This is exactly what they assured us wouldn't happen when they were promising a "fine, white tablecloth, neighborhood restaurant."

There are plenty of vacancies in entertainment districts like Delaware Avenue. Dance clubs and loud, late-night bars don't belong in residential neighborhoods. Thank you in advance for helping protect (get back!) our quality of life in Bella Vista.