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HomeMy WebLinkAbout261-2001 LTC -'''CfTY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139 http:\\ci.miami-beach,fl.us .. L.T.C.NO~ / LEITER TO COMMISSION , .' December 4,2001 TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez A",(' City Manager dl"v U SUBJECT: Extended hours of operation - Nightlife industry The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to transmit a resolution of the Planning Board addressing the issue of extending the hours of operation for nightclubs. This matter was referred to the Planning Board for review and recommendation as part ef the ongoing review of issues of concern on the part of the City Commission and the Administration. The following is a summary of the Planning Board review and deliberation, and its recommendations. Extended hours for niahtclubs. "'-- The Planning Board scheduled a workshop on this issue on May 29, 2001, which was well attended by people on both sides of the issue. The general public was not in favor of extended hours and expressed the following concerns: · The negative impact that exists at the present time relative to cleanliness of the sidewalks, streets and alleys; · The rowdiness of some of the clubs' clientele and how it affects the peace and tranquility of the nearby residents; · The outside promoters and how the promoters' ordinance is not being strictly enforced. Most of the public's comments in this regard referred to the low quality of promotions and how the crowds being attracted to those promotions were impacting the quality of life of the residents of the city. -- ~ Letter to Commission Extended hours of operation - Nightlife industry November 27,2001 Page 2 · The number of nightclubs that exist in the city, which in the aggregate make for a diminished quality of life for the residents. Most of the club owners were in favor of the extended hours (although quite a few expressed opposition), The reason given for extending the hours was that new clubs opening in the City of Miami, which are open for longer and extended hours, were having an adverse impact on the profit margin of the clubs in Miami Beach. The representatives of the clubs suggested to create a nightlife committee or board that would include representatives of the nightclub industry, city staff and members of the public. Those in opposition within the industry were concerned that those extended hours would not allow the city to get to a normal operating mode before the normal opening hours of businesses unrelated to the nightclub industry. They also stated that the special events that were being promoted by the clubs were ill-prepared to control the crowds being attracted and were also disturbed by the quality of promotions. The police department expressed serious concerns relative to the additional time club patrons would have to drink and then drive their vehicles. They also had serious concerns with staffing, as they would have to institute two 12-hour shifts, rather than the normal three shifts per day. Code Compliance also expressed concerns relative to the additional personnel that would be needed in order to cover the extra hours the clubs would be operating. The Planning Board mernbers did not take any action at the conclusion of the workshop. Instead, they deferred any action to a later meeting. Since that first Planning Board workshop, the City has instituted the Major Events Plan and a Nightlife Industry Task Force has been established to assist the City in evaluating the impact to the City of any special promotional or special events. Plannina: Board Action At the August 28,2001 meeting the Planning Board resolved by a vote 5-0 (2 members absent) to strongly recommend to the city commission that the existing hours of operation of bars and nightclub not be extended as requested by the industry. The board expressed its concerns relative to planning and quality of life issues with regard to the extended hours of operation. The Board stated that the extended hours of operation for bars and nightclubs, effectively making Miami Beach a 24-hour city, would be detrimental to the quality oflife of the residents, and would also adversely impact the level of services the city needs to provide. JMG\~~L F:\PLAN\SPLIl'CCMEM0S\200IICUJB.LTC.WPD c0 . d ltllOl , ,. . CITY OF MIAMI BEACH PLANNING BOARD FCEIVED 2001 NOV -9 AM 9: '+ 9 PlANHii1G JEPAHTHEHT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, at its August 28, 2001 meeting, the Planning Board voted 5-0 (2 members absent) to strongly recommend to the city commission that the existing hours of operation of bars and nightclub not be extended as requested by the industry; and WHEREAS, the Planning Board believes there are serious planning issues with regard to the extended hours of operation and quality of life; and WHEREAS, they believe that the extended hours of operation for bars and nightclubs, effectively making Miami Beach a 24-hour city, would be detrimental to the quality of life of the residents, and would also be detrimental to the level of services the city needs to provide, NOW, THEREFORE. BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that extending the hours of operation of bars and nightclubs is detrimental to the general welfare and safety of the residents of this City and urges the Mayor and City Commissioner not to change the hours of operation as now prescribed in the City Code. ' PASSED AND ADOPTED T8IS 28th DAY OF AUGUST, 2001. F;\PlANISI'LB\CCMIlM0S\200,I\CLUBRBSO.WPD c0'd 6SS~~~9S0~ a 8N1NN1:Jld HJa I~IW AllJ S~:60 t00G-t0-~