Thursday, December 3, 2009
Broad Street Cafe fights for volume
If it’s too loud, shut it down: Durham’s The Broad Street Cafe is collecting petition signatures in preparation for a hearing before the Durham Board of Adjustment Wednesday, Dec. 9, that could limit the venue’s late-night music.
Acting on complaints about noise coming from the venue first filed in March, the City investigated the cafe, which is open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and determined it was in violation of its commercial zoning district. In order to allow live music past 10 p.m., the club will need to obtain a special minor use permit.
“The zoning along that section of Broad Street is primarily commercial neighborhoods,” says Michael Stock, Durham City-County Planning Department’s senior planner. Stock notes that The Broad Street Cafe, located at 1116 Broad St., is operating as a nightclub. “They are open after 10 p.m. on a regular basis. They offer food, drink and entertainment—all qualifications of a nightclub.” If the cafe was in a different zoning district, he says, Durham wouldn’t require this special permit.
Attorney Paul Brock, one of the four co-owners of The Broad Street Cafe, doesn’t like the term nightclub: “I believe we’re so much more than that,” he says. “We’re a community restaurant, offering music and a lot of benefits to local artists.”
Musician Brannon Bollinger agrees. He’s one of many area artists to circulate the Broad Street petition to his fans and friends.“Even if you don't play or listen to music at Broad Street,” he wrote in an e-mail, “please sign this petition to keep musicians like me employed there.”
However, that petition, a well intended community gesture already signed by 450 people, may not be allowed as evidence when the Durham Board of Adjustment hears the case, says Stock.
At least the City of Durham has agreed to allow The Broad Street Cafe to continue with its previously booked gigs, until Dec. 9. After that, though, Durham might be down another venue.
Comments (2)
Showing 1-2 of 2
I can find so many things wrong with what the city of Durm is doing here. It's so lame, but it's pretty common for cities "on the upswing," as Durham's commonly labeled. They're thrilled at the promise of being an artistic hub but they still jump at every little sound. Thus, art-killing lameness along these lines due to overzealous application of minor ordinances. Asheville lost all its good venues in a similar fashion several years ago.
like
dislike
[...] more here: Broad Street Cafe fights for volume – Scan – Indy Week Blogs Posted in Cafe Address | Tags: and-friends-, broad-street, circulate-the, durham-board, fans, [...]
Latest in Scan
-
The Avett Brothers, The Love Language to headline 16-band benefit for Oliver Gant
On March 23, 16 bands will gather in Raleigh to play for a two-year-old diagnosed with cancer last year.
- Feb 8, 2012
-
With a little help from her friends: Kathleen Edwards in Carrboro
Bon Iver's Justin Vernon joins Kathleen Edwards during a great Cat's Cradle show.
- Feb 3, 2012
-
Durham's Delta Rae signs to Sire Records
Delta Rae signs to Sire Records, a match made in mediocrity.
- Feb 3, 2012
- More »
Author Archives
-
Digging deeper
In Orange and Guilford counties, neighbors fight landfill expansions
- Jul 6, 2011
-
Police could lose funds to jail undocumented immigrants
In 2010, 54 N.C. law enforcement agencies received $7.6 million in SCAAP funding; that money would all but evaporate, and local tax dollars would have to pay for incarcerating undocumented immigrants.
- Jun 8, 2011
-
Living on the edge
Residents endure legacy of old Chatham County landfill
- Apr 20, 2011
- More »
