New Zoning Would Add Requirements to New Rochelle Cabarets

Cabarets in New Rochelle will be defined a little differently if proposed legislation is passed by the City Council.

At a recent meeting, the council declared itself lead agency to consider modifications of its zoning requirements for cabarets as well as set a public hearing for Feb. 14 on a draft amendment to regulations.

City Manager Charles Strome III said the city currently requires cabarets that are the primary use of their spaces to come before the City Council for a special permit.

Cabarets that are secondary uses, such as restaurants that have a cabaret component but are not the main business, now are not required to have special permits, he said.

"[The zoning law] requires the administrative issuance of a permit by the police department," Strome said.

Under the proposed legislation, all cabarets with seating from 50 to 250 would be required to apply for a special permit, he said.

Cabarets under 50 seats would be exempt. The maximum occupancy for a cabaret would be 250 seats.

If passed as proposed, the zoning change would require all cabarets to renew their permits every two years, said Corporation Counsel Kathleen Gill.

"At that point, you can look at their track record and see how it's working," she said. "If the city has been having difficulty, you can add conditions to the special permit at that time."

Councilman Albert Tarantino, R-District 2, was concerned about the definitions of the two different types of cabarets.

"The line starts to get clouded by a lot of establishments," he said. "We want to be able to clarify what is a primary use and what is an accessory use."

Councilman Ivar Hyden, D-District 4, said he was grateful the council is taking a look at zoning for the establishments.

"I know there a lot of residents in my district who are unhappy with the situation as it is, and I'd like to correct it if I can," he said.

With the setting of a public hearing, the city imposed a moratorium on granting new cabaret special permits until the new zoning legislation is enacted.