POUGHKEEPSIE – Noise and crime are just two of the many problems residents living near convenience stores in residential neighborhoods of Poughkeepsie say have them constantly on edge. That includes bars which can stay open to 4 a.m.
The same thing goes for city officials, who discussed the issue at length during Monday night’s common council meeting.
Fifth Ward Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers said one problem store was given a permit to stay open 24 hours, with no opportunity for input.
“We should have been in that discussion and then we could have let certain ones know some of the complaints that we have gotten to see if that permit should have been warranted,” Flowers said.
Eighth Ward Councilman Matthew McNamara worried about possibly exposing the city to some liability if the city does not proceed with some caution in reaching a solution.
Fourth Ward Councilwoman Sarah Brannen had a similar concern.
“I am concerned about using such a blunt instrument to address what, in large part, is an enforcement issue, right,” Brannen asked. “So we have a noise ordinance, we have, you know, liquor laws that these places have to abide by and I guess the question that arises for me is how do we make sure that the existing rules are followed.”
Corporation Counsel Paul Ackerman said the search for a solution to nuisance convenience stores is a long work in progress.
“There is not really an opportunity to set closing hours constitutionally or legally for, specifically, convenience stores; however, in discussion, there is an opportunity through zoning to regulate these convenience in residential neighborhoods.”
Ackerman said some research is needed on how to proceed. One tool, he said, could be through the city’s zoning code.
