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The "Voluntary" Agreement system is ridiculous. I wish some resturant owner had the energy and cash reserves to challenge it in court. If, as Mr. Silversten says, they are a way of setting a "neighborhood-wide standard" or creating a "'level playing field' for all businesses in mixed-use parts of the neighborhood" then those standards should be clearly incorporated into the licensing law, so that business owners know upfront what standards and regs have to be met in order to open and run a business. If there are problems with bars complying once they're open, that should be an enforcement issue. The city should be taking the responsibility for both creating and enforcing the standards; the business owners should not have to enter into negotiations or agreements with private citizens.

by 17th St on Jun 11, 2012 3:39 pm • link • report