Nightclub Prohibition, Funhouse, And Taco Bell Approved

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved three applications that were the subject of public hearings last night.

Liquor License Restrictions Approved
It approved a zoning code text amendment which prohibits any business operating under a café liquor license from gaining approval. The amendment was put forth by the staff of the Planning office, and was presented and defended by Assistant Planner Michiel Wackers. Wackers indicated that the amendment was designed to "raise the bar" for the approval of nightclubs, pointing to several major law enforcement issues with existing establishments that operate with the café liquor license, "We want to take this type of establishment and make it a prohibited use."

Several commissioners, including Molly Salafia and Ken McClellan, challenged Wackers to define what a nightclub was before such a prohibition.

Downtown resident Jen Alexander was the only member of the public to speak on the proposed change, and she called herself "strongly in support". She pointed to the human and capital investments that the city had made in the downtown, called Main Street the "economic engine" of our city, and said that the public safety costs of nightclubs were high. She said, "I think [the text change] is a good direction for us ... Our downtown deserves that."

The motion passed after commissioners voted to remove any reference to nightclubs. The new zoning code now simply prohibits the approval of new establishments operating with a café liquor license. New establishments that have music and liquor but also have a full restaurant (like La Boca, for example) would still be permitted, as they could operate under a restaurant liquor license.

Wild Bill's Funhouse Museum Approved

Bill Ziegler's application to build and operate a working Funhouse Museum and Family Entertainment Center on Newfield Street was approved by the Commission. The application was primarily presented by a lawyer and an engineer, who discussed zoning codes and parking space counts.

The more interesting bits were when Bill Ziegler took to the microphone to explain what he was planning. In response to questions from Commissioner Les Adams, Ziegler said that his museum would not be just for the admiration of amusement park funhouse artifacts. He said that the items would be operational and visitors would be able to experience classic amusement items. Adams asked, "But will there be a calliope?", to which Ziegler replied with a grin, "I own a calliope."

Taco Bell Drive-Thru Approved.

The Commission unanimously approved an application by Taco Bell to build a drive-thru restaurant on Washington Street, at the site of the now closed Friendly's Restaurant. The new restaurant will be smaller than the Friendly's, and the engineer told the Commission that the site would have less impervious surface, and a better traffic flow than the Friendly's restaurant provided.

Wild Bill's On Newfield Street Proposes Addition

The owner and operator of Wild Bill's Nostalgia is proposing to add a working funhouse museum and family entertainment center. His application for the necessary special exception permit is the subject of a Public Hearing at tomorrow's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Bill Ziegler wants to have a 2,800 square foot museum, two 4,000 square foot pole barns, a 1,200 square foot "glass house", one acre for miniature golf, and 1.5 acres for batting cages.

The zoning code allows land to be used for "entertainment" when a special exception is granted by the Commission. In order for the exception to be granted, the proposed use must be in compliance with city plans, have no adverse effects on the neighborhood, and provide sufficient parking.

The Planning Department staff have raised a number of issues that the Commission may consider in their decision. They point out that some of the proposed development is within the 100 year floodplain, and suggest that a permits or variances be obtained prior to approval. They also suggest that the parking lot should be more than simply a large gravel area, recommending a landscaped parking lot designed for 120 parking spaces.

The Commission meeting begins Wednesday at 7PM in the Council Chambers.

So that's what trees are for!

I don't think I'm spilling any state secrets when I tell you that Wild Bill's is sponsoring a concert this Saturday. These posters first appeared on downtown trees in early September. After a phone call to those in charge of enforcing the city's ordinance about not putting posters on street trees, the posters came down. Now they are back up.

So what's so bad about posters on trees -- or on streetlights and signal boxes for that matter? Well, it's mostly a problem of "what if everyone did that?" and of who has the right to use the public sidewalk and streetscape for private advertising. On Main Street, the Downtown Business District put up kiosks every block or so. Anyone is welcome to put up posters about their events -- whether they are a for-profit business (like Wild Bill's) or a non-profit community event. The Downtown Guides take care of the kiosks, removing outdated notices and clutter. But even though the Kiosks are available, every few months some bar from Hartford comes down to Main Street and covers every streetlight and tree with a notice about their drink specials.

Now I'm not looking for totalitarian efficiency here. I kind of like seeing everyone's tag sale and lost cat notices. One of my favorite Middletown moments every Spring is peering out through the rain at the Coleman's Carnival posters dripping on telephone poles throughout town.

But the current crop of Wild Bill's posters is a little much. There are even some trees that have two posters, just so you can see their advertisement coming and going.

So what's to be done? I'm not sure, but I hope that Wild Bill's applies the same gusto in removing the posters come Sunday morning.