[NewMusic] Oakland cabaret ordinance in the news

[Michael Zelner]

>City opens door for new cabaret at Fox Theater
>Council revises rule to ease project
>
>By Cecily Burt, STAFF WRITER
>Article Last Updated: 12/07/2007 02:42:57 AM PST
>
>OAKLAND - The Oakland City Council revised its cabaret ordinance 
>Tuesday night, just in time for the Planning Commission to consider 
>the Fox Theater's application to serve alcohol at a new cabaret and 
>lobby bar.
>
>The city's old cabaret ordinance prohibited clubs with live 
>entertainment within 300 feet of schools, churches or libraries. It 
>went largely unnoticed until it was used a year ago to block 
>Tycoon's nightclub from replacing the shuttered Sweet Jimmie's on 
>San Pablo Avenue.
>
>In an uh-oh moment, the council members realized that developer Phil 
>Tagami's planned cabaret, centerpiece of the landmark Fox Theater 
>restoration, was doomed because of its proximity to the Oakland 
>School for the Arts. In fact, the school will relocate to the Fox 
>once renovations are complete.
>
>The revised ordinance retains the 300-foot rule but gives the city 
>administrator discretion to waive it if an applicant can prove the 
>club will not negatively impact surrounding schools, churches and 
>libraries. It also requires neighbors be notified 30 days in advance 
>- increased from three days - when a new application has been filed.
>
>A final vote is scheduled Dec. 18. The council also agreed to 
>revisit the issue at a later date after Councilmember Desley Brooks 
>(Eastmont-Seminary) questioned why there had to be any restrictions 
>on cabarets in areas where Oakland is hoping to improve the 
>nightlife, such as uptown and Jack London Square.
>
>"This makes no sense," she said. "We need to be able to have 
>cabarets in the entertainment districts."

<http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_7659526>