Morristown Council Denies Bar's St. Patrick's Day Parade Expansion, Despite Pubic Pleas

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Even after The Homestead proposed to shrink its celebration, Morristown Town Council won't give the bar the green light to expand its premises for outdoor drinking during the Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade. The council's unanimous rejection came amid pleas from the business's attorney, residents and supporters of The Homestead.

The governing body first rejected The Homestead's application for expanded outdoor drinking at Feb. 8's meeting. The business wanted to bring its celebrations to the nearby Woman's Club of Morristown parking lot. Read more: Morristown Allows Some Outdoor Drinking For St. Patrick's Parade

The council rejected the application Feb. 8, citing likely noise issues for nearby homes. But The Homestead sent a second proposal to the governing body, modifying its wants for the March 12 parade day. Instead of accomodating 750-1,000 extra people, the bar would let 500-750 into the outdoor area. Rather than letting customers occupy the space until 11 p.m., the celebration would end at 6 p.m.

"I encourage you to rethink your position, because it’s just daylight hours," Robert Williams, The Homestead's attorney, said before Tuesday's council vote.

But Council President Stefan Armington echoed his concerns from the bar's prior application, saying the gathering would still violate the town's noise ordinance.

The local noise rules exempt town-sponsored events, such as the parade itself, because they benefit the town's welfare, Armington said. But rejecting The Homestead's expansion would not cause any "hardship," because the establishment could still serve patrons in their large restaurant and outdoor patio, the council president contended.

"The council would essentially have to waive the noise ordinance for that day for this applicant, at the expense of the residents nearby," Armington said.

Ultimately, the council agreed and rejected the application. But several residents and supporters of The Homestead application spoke during the meeting's public-comment portion, which occurred after the vote.

Morristown resident Sarah Frank developed a petition supporting The Homestead's outdoor expansion, which she presented to the council. The petition generated 111 signatures before it closed, according to petitions.net.

"I love Morristown, but I’m disheartened that a decision was made to reject it without listening to the residents of Morristown," Frank said.

At the prior meeting, community members spoke up on both sides of the issue — nearby residents who didn't want the extra noise and supporters who argued that Morristown's establishments could use the business after two years of pandemic measures, including two St. Patrick's Day Parade cancelations.

The council, during that meeting, also approved an application for expanded outdoor drinking on parade day from 1776 by David Burke Featuring Top Golf Suite. Council members noted that 1776 isn't close to residential properties, the business will only hold up to 250 extra people and they won't set up a stage for music.

The Homestead wanted to set up a stage for Irish musicians to perform, but Williams said they could limit or eliminate the music. But at maximum outdoor capacity, the space would still exceed the town's noise limits, Armington said.

The parade kicks off at noon March 12.

Watch Tuesday's Town Council meeting below:

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