Public Hearing June 11, 2019, 94 East Main St., Culture Fine Food & Cocktails
PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM,
153 WEST MAIN STREET, BABYLON, NEW YORK,
ON TUESDAY,
JUNE 11, 2019
PRESENT:
Mayor Ralph Scordino
Trustee Kevin Muldowney
Trustee Tony Davida
Trustee Mary Adams
Trustee Robyn Silvestri
Attorney Gerard Glass
The meeting opened at 7:06 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trustee Silvestri.
The Village Clerk read the legal notice:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon will hold a Public Hearing at 153 West Main Street, on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard to consider the application of Patrick Mack of Islip, NY, to open a restaurant at 94 East Main St., the former location of Don Ricardo’s.
Copy of application and plans may be examined at the office of the Village Clerk, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
All interested persons should appear at the above time and place and they will be given the opportunity to be heard. All applicants and their duly appointed representatives must appear in person at the above hearing.
Applicant: Property:
Patrick Mack Culture Fine Food & Cocktails
62 Marina Way 94 East Main Street
Islip, NY 11751 Babylon, NY 11702
[Section 014/ Block 02/ Lot 011]
The applicant, Mr. Mack and his co-owner/chef, Wells Brauner, addressed the Board and explained their plans for the former Don Ricardo’s restaurant. Culture Fine Food & Cocktails will be a neighborhood family restaurant with more of an American flare; it is chef-owned and food focused, offering various cuisines prepared with organic foods sourced from local farms. The menu will change seasonally.
The current proposal includes a bar that is approximately twenty (20) feet long with 9 seats, and 98 table seats [total seats: 107]. The hours of operation, per their application are: Sunday to Wednesday – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Thursday to Saturday – 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.; actual hours will be dependent on volume. This will be a full restaurant until closing; drinks will not be served without offering food.
There will be a television and speakers for low volume, background music; they may possibly have a juke box but there will not be a dance floor, as this is a food-focused restaurant. The only catered events would be birthdays, baby showers, holiday dinners, etc., not larger events such as weddings.
The entrance will be through the front of the building only, with parking in the back. While there is some work to be done to be ADA compliant, they hope to open by late summer / early fall.
The Board of Trustees and Village Attorney all expressed concern over the late hours, emphasizing the need to be respectful of the residents whose properties border the restaurant. They stressed the importance of monitoring the noise volume in the parking lot as well as keeping the grounds neat and clean.
The Board addressed current issues with the dumpster and referenced the Planning Board requirements for the dumpster – it is to be on a concrete pad and enclosed by a fence. The Board further stressed the necessity of keeping the dumpster closed.
The Board got clarification regarding the ‘lounge’ on the proposed layout, which will be used for additional seating, and the use of the second floor, which will contain another dining area and a service station with ice machine, glassware, etc.
The Board inquired about plans to change the façade and informed the applicant that any signage needs to be approved by the Architectural Review Board.
The meeting was opened to the public; no one spoke for or against this application.
On the motion of Trustee Muldowney, seconded by Trustee Silvestri and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
Meeting adjourned 7:34 p.m.
________________________________
Village Clerk