Nightclubs - Questions for Council Candidates

Editor's Note - Welcome to the 14th installment of Questions for Council Candidates. Recently, Hyattsville Patch sent a 15 part questionnaire to candidates running in this year's Hyattsville City Council election. The questions, developed with the help of Hyattsville Patch readers, probe the candidates thoughts on city policy, development, and also asked the candidates to do a little self reflection. 

Between now and May 7, Hyattsville Patch will be publishing their responses to each question to help you, the reader, make a more informed decision at the polls on May 7. Here now are the responses to the 14th question. Responses are organized alphabetically by ward.

Question - Hyattsville claims to be a world within walking distance, but this is not (legally) the case if you want to go dancing or patronize a proper nightclub or lounge. Where in Hyattsville would it be appropriate to operate a bar or nightclub which could host live and deejayed musical entertainment and dancing?

Ward 1 Candidates:

Bill Jenne - I’m not sure Hyattsville is ready for that yet. I’m not dismissing it out of hand but I would need to know a lot more specifics about the business, the owner, the venue and what the immediate neighbors thought about it.

Bart Lawrence - A bar or nightclub that adheres to the strictures of its operating license should be allowed to exist anywhere in the city where zoning allows such establishments and the quality of life of residents is not compromised. So, the Council must consider factors such as safety, noise, parking, and the nature of the neighborhood when acting on such issues.

Ward 2 Candidates:

Robert Croslin - Hyattsville used to have a lounge that had live jazz on the weekend. It was located in the building we affectionately call the Castle. It is now the Crossover Church. I think it should be acceptable if Franklins or Busboys wanted to have salsa night, for example, one day on the weekend. But it would also have to be allowed at a venue in West Hyattsville. Noise ordinances, however, would have to be observed and unruly and violent behavior should not be tolerated. A music venue near the Prince Georges Plaza Metro, in the location where J Marie was previously located would also be appropriate. The jazz nights there were quite popular.

David Hiles (Incumbent) - Some Local Establishments on Rt 1 might have Competent Management that could handle Big Fun without becoming a Nuisance.

Ward 3 Candidate: 

Patrick Paschall - Most importantly, nightclubs and bars should operate in places that do not disrupt the lives of Hyattsville residents. These can be very fun places to go, but nobody likes to live near a loud nightclub that prevents the quiet enjoyment of their home, especially late at night. Hyattsville is a largely residential city – even our recent development projects sit very near residential areas. This means that businesses that play loud music have limited opportunity in the City of Hyattsville, which is not necessarily a bad thing. There may be places in Hyattsville where such a club could effectively operate, but the most important consideration is that the city uses its tools such as code enforcement and recommendations to the zoning board to ensure that businesses operating in Hyattsville do so in ways that benefit, rather than disrupt, the lives of residents.

Ward 4 Candidates:

Ross Gateretse - Running a business with in the zoning rules will preclude continuing friction between restaurants and the neighbors. It’s not the neighbor responsibility to enforce the city’s rules, but the neighbors have a voice in quality of life. Dancing Clubs & Lounges, entertaining businesses should be allowed anywhere in the city, only if they are following the city rules and regulations, and abide to the city’s codes enforcements, and effectively monitored.

Edouard Haba - The appropriate location of bars and/or night clubs is defined by zoning regulations and other city, county and State's codes and ordinances. In addition to the legal requirements, as an entrepreneur you also want to make sure that the services you provide are in line with the residents' needs and that you are maintaining a good relationship with them. We just need to be objective and creative through consultations with residents and business owners.

Ward 5 Candidates:

Pastor Herrera - Editor's Note - Herrera did not submit responses to this questionnaire before the publication deadline.

Joseph Solomon - Never mind the idea of night clubs in Hyattsville, it’s difficult enough to walk from Ward 5 to Ward 1 or Ward 3.  If the city wishes to maintain this mantra, I think it will need to become more walker and biker friendly, ideas which are currently under way.

Clayton Williams - I don’t think anyone was pleased with how the Acapulco Spirit and Mi Patio applications were handled. Even those who are happy with the outcome found the process lacking. But let’s understand that this is nothing more than a city’s growing pains. We are evolving, and it is taking us time to learn how to handle these issues. A late night establishment will only open in a place where an extensive conversation has happened between the city, the businesses, and with any nearby residents. We just aren’t good at having that conversation yet. Will the first place to figure out the issues be PG Plaza, West Hyattsville, or Route 1? I don’t know. But I do know I can help us handle this in a more productive manner.