HomeMy WebLinkAboutletterDecember 15, 2003
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a native of Coconut Grove. I currently own and reside in an apartment of Grove Square, at 2801 Florida Avenue. I am extremely
upset about the noise disturbances conning from "Quench" restaurant, who are tenants in the same building on the ground floor. I
strongly oppose the current proposed change of use from restaurant to nightclub. Approving this appeal to overturn the board's
previous denial of a a change of use will result in the current noise ordinance violations continuing until 5 a.m. — when they actually
should not be happening at all in the first place.
Since these tenants opened their establishment in the space, the excessively loud music being played there can be heard inside my
apartment on the second floor and has kept me front sleeping in ny home. This disturbance occurs every week from Thursday to
Sunday from 10:30 p.m. until 3:00 a.m, when the restaurant closes, and well beyond the statutory 11 p.m. limit under the City's own
noise ordinance. Other apartment owners and tenants in this building have also been complaining for several months, but to no effect.
To this day, the nightclub operators continue to disturb its late into the night. I no longer enjoy living in my apartment and am very
concerned about my ability to continue to reside there.The manner in which Quench runs its "restaurant" is the cause of many
resident and tenants' unhappiness.
It is my understanding that the space is zoned to be operated as a restaurant and not as a nightclub, which it clearly is. The restaurant
owner and manager's marketing efforts promote the space as a club, with ladies nights, college nights, open bar, bead contests, DJs
playing bass -heavy techno and house music, as well as live music performances. Please find attached flyers as proof. Flyers are a
preferred marketing method for nightclubs — not restaurants. The main pitch of these flyers is to draw young customers in for drinking
and dancing and live nmsic, and not for eating. If further proof is required, please visit their appropriately -named web site:
u,uwr1ubquench.corn. Shortly after the restaurant opened on February 20, 2003, the owners promoted a performance by Grupo Niche, a
13 piece orchestra as a "one time special event," and apologizing for any noise in advance. Now, artists such as Juho Iglesias,Jr. (July
31,2003) and David Bisbal (Sept. 4, 2003) perform there regularly.There have also been Friday night live broadcasts from Quench on
93.1FM — an electronic dance -oriented radio station — and regular "all night long" Saturday night (and now Wednesday night) live
broadcasts on 95.7 FM — a latin dance music station. Is this standard practice for a restaurant? There are more appropriate venues for a
club of this sort than right below an upscale apartment building full of working people and students who need peace at night. Let's
not let charming Coconut Grove become another South Beach.
I have made several numerous attempts to resolve this issue with the City of Miami Police Department in the past and I have even
spoken directly to the restaurant's owners and management and still Quench's owners and management do not cooperate or make any
efforts to resolve the excessive noise problem in any way — other than offering the building's residents "VIP treatment" if they visit the
club. Luitenant Daniel Watkins and Officer Audrey Eckert are aware of the complaints. In addition, Grove Square building manager
Margo Alvarez is fully aware of the many complaints from residents. Furthermore, Quench management proceeded to rent the
"restaurant" space despite being informed by Grove Square management that the previous tenant (also a nightclub) had numerous
noise complaints filed against them as well. As I mentioned, I no longer enjoy living in the building because I am not able to sleep. If I
— or any other tenant — chose to sell their units I would would be obliged to disclose to the prospective buyers anything I am aware of
that may limit the enjoyment/use of the residence. In addition, any tenant I would rent to would obviously experience the same
nuisance I have gone through for many months.The inevitable net result is a decline in quality of life and a subsequent decline in
property value for everyone in the building, and the surrounding area.
Showing their lack of respect for the residents living in the building, the nightclub operators at Quench are now requesting to remain
open and serve liquor even later into the morning so they can continue to do more of what they are not supposed to be doing.
The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and tax -paying citizens have been working to make this beautiful part of
Miami a more pleasant place to live. Quench nightclub is not helping.
Thank you for your understanding and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Lars Fitzgerald
2801 Florida Avenue, #219
Miami, FL 33133
305-989-1171
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