ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) – City leaders said they recognize the need for changes to the cabaret licensing law, and now a new measure has been introduced. They said changes are necessary to help businesses and nightlife thrive.
Business owners who want to play amplified music in their establishments must obtain a cabaret license in the City of Albany. And under the current law the process has been notoriously difficult.
It's something that Albany Common Council members on both sides of the issue agree on and said they're trying to fix it. But they have very different ideas on how to approach the problem.
Council Member Sergio Adams (7th Ward) wants to repeal the cabaret license entirely. He said it’s redundant and asks for the same information that the state liquor license already covers.
Council Member Richard Conti (6th Ward) wants to repeal and replace the law with a more streamlined version.
Some business owners said they've been shut down, while their business was operating, for not having a cabaret license as they waited months for the license.
"Showing up at businesses and shutting them down without proper or correct information is improper. Disrupting a business and not communicating with the business owners is a problem. So when it comes to the enforcement side of the cabaret, I don’t believe it needs to be in place for APD or our codes department to effectively do their job," said Adams.
He added that many of the issues can be addressed with good communication and by working with Albany business owners respectfully. He said these are changes that the residents of the city want to see.
"I remember when Albany had great energy in terms of venues and establishments to visit. And over the last few years we've seen that decline, but it was the business owners who actually came out and brought this to our attention," said Adams.
According to Adams, there have been biases towards certain groups of people looking to provide entertainment. Conti acknowledged that and said his new bill would be more specific and eliminate the arbitrary nature of the law.
"My experience here has been based on noise issues and should not be based on the type of music or entertainment that’s being provided, and that should never be a basis for denial," said Conti.
While Adams points to the noise ordinance that’s already on the books, APD expressed concerns with enforcing the ordinance without the cabaret license.
Conti introduced legislation that would rename the cabaret license. He wants it to be called an “accessory entertainment permit.” It would become a three-year permit, instead of an annual one with a yearly fee.
It would also eliminate the fire and law departments from the approval process, leaving the decision to approve an establishment’s license up to the Albany Police Department, the Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance, and the Department of Planning & Development.
Contie said he's looking forward to having a full discussion of his version at the next meeting.
"We want a thriving nightlife, which is balanced and brings people down and out and all that kind of stuff," said Conti.
The next planning committee meeting will take place on Monday at City Hall at 5:00 P.M. The meeting can also be watched online. Adams said, if you can’t attend in-person you can email comments to the planning committee.
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