Overpacked bars facing stiffer fines
GREENSBORO — Call it a win for claustrophobes and a loss for businesses that violate fire codes.
On Tuesday night, the City Council increased fines for overcrowding and other violations, in an effort to ease safety concerns in clubs and bars.
It will now cost business owners $100 per person if they have an overcrowded establishment and $500 per blocked, locked or obstructed emergency exit.
Public safety officials called for the new fines earlier this year as the council debated ways to make the bustling downtown a safer place.
In the past two years, the Greensboro Fire Department issued about 15 overcrowding citations to downtown clubs, although Assistant Fire Chief David Douglas said the safety violations happen at establishments all over Greensboro.
Last Saturday, fire officials shut down the bar Stumble Stilskins for being almost 100 percent overcrowded, Douglas told the council Tuesday night.
“We closed them down, but they can reopen the next day,” Douglas said.
Under the new fine structure, a violation of that type would cost the business $6,400, Douglas said.
The former safety violation fine — $150 per incident, not per person — was not enough to convince some business owners the city was serious about following the life safety guidelines, city officials argued.
“We’ve got some people out there who can afford to pay the fine,” said Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small.
“Until we take the profit out of the overcrowding, they will continue to do it,” Douglas said.
In 2005, the city implemented stiffer fines for nine months.
In the first six weeks, the Greensboro Fire Department issued five citations. For the rest of the time, inspectors found no violations — proof, public safety officials argued, that the increased fines are effective.
The new fines will start in 30 days.
The fines for obstructed exits are graduated and increase to $1,000 per exit for a second violation and $1,500 per exit for a subsequent violations.
The fines for overcrowding will be $100 per person over the posted occupancy.
Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com
City Council Insider
News and notes from the Oct. 7 City Council meeting:
INCENTIVES
- The council adopted a deal for employers who create new jobs downtown: They can get a free parking spot at a city deck or transit pass for one year for each new job. The new policy is meant to encourage job growth in the center city.
THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL
- The council members want to know what city employees are thinking — especially considering the discrimination complaints against the city. But Tuesday night, they couldn’t decide who should survey the employees. They will debate the issue again at a briefing session.
BEEN SAID
- Greensboro resident Richard Stephens asked the council to stop wasting his tax dollars on things like the Canada Dry building and the Coliseum Inn. “Instead of wasting tax dollars on your pet projects, you need to come up with prudent ways to save money,” he told the council during the time period for speakers from the floor.
- On the other hand, Charles Coffey, president of the Lee Street Merchants Association, thanked the council for the pending purchases. He asked that the city consider putting a police substation at the former bottling plant to increase security on High Point Road.
WORTH NOTING
- David H. Griffin pulled his application for a special-use permit to operate an auto salvage yard at 3501 Holts Chapel Road before the council could review it. Some residents questioned whether it was the best fit for the neighborhood.
CONNECT
Got a news tip? Contact staff writer Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com with your ideas.
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