New Owner Can’t Muster Votes At CB 4 Meet
Citing the presence of several other clubs in the vicinity and problems at this location, Community Board 4 could not muster up the votes to approve a cabaret license for an Elmhurst nightclub during its Monday, Sept. 10 meeting at the Flanders Field VFW Post in Corona.
The application, for 77-14 Queens Blvd. in Elmhurst, is currently the site of Nuves, a restaurant and dance hall. The site’s new owner-a Whitestone resident who runs an auto repair shop located adjacent to the club-promised to beef up security and add cameras both inside and outside the site, and is eyeing a nearby location for valet parking.
“We’re not happy with Nuves,” said Lucy Schilero, chairperson of the Public Safety Committee, as the bar has been the site of illegal activity including a shooting several years ago.
She added that she had spoken to the owner and told them that “we’re not going to let him get away with things.”
“It’s not a good establishment for the neighborhood,” Board 4’s Larraine Donahue told the Times Newsweekly. “It can-quote: can- create problems; we don’t need that.”
“What’s really needed in that area is something for youth,” said Redd Sevilla, adding that with two other clubs-Play and Exotic’s-located nearby, “the last thing that we need in my opinion is a cabaret.”
Sevilla suggested possibly opening a restaurant instead, but the applicant stated that he was hoping to open Nuves as a nightclub and “transition” it into a restaurant.
Board 4 voted 20-15 to approve the proposal, with seven abstentions; as the abstentions are essentially considered “no” votes, the proposal was not approved.
The advisory body did approve an enclosed sidewalk café for Santorini’s, a proposed diner at 108-40 Corona Ave. in Corona, upon the rec- ommendation the Consumer Affairs Committee. The new diner will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
According to Schilero, the enclosure was built by a previous owner; plans for the diner were stalled due to the need to reconstruction at the site.
Moya details NYPD plans
The NYPD is planning “a really big sweep” against cars left without license plates in Board 4, Assemblyman Francisco Moya announced, adding that most of the cars have forsale signs with the same cell phone number posted in the windows.
“It’s getting to the point where you see two, three of them on the block,” he noted, adding that the precinct will conduct regular patrols in the hope that the car’s owner “will get the hint.”
Moya also announced that due to redistricting, he now represents more of Corona and Elmhurst.
Finally, he told Board 4 that he expects the state legislature to go into special session into November. Among the items to be discussed are a possible increase in the state minimum wage and funding for local back-to-school programs.
Louise Emanuel, representing Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, announced that the Department of Education is considering the condemnation of a gas station near the High School For Arts and Business at 105-25 Horace Harding Expwy. in Corona, specifically to expand the school to add a gymnasium.
Board 4’s Anthony Moreno suggested that the DOE consider constructing a gym on the school’s roof instead.
The process for hiring a district manager to replace the late Richard Italiano will stretch on to October, Chairperson Louis Walker announced. Fifty resumes have already been received for the position.
“It will be a lengthy process,” he said.
Community Board 4 usually meets on the second Tuesday of every month at sites throughout Corona and Elmhurst.
