The prayers of New York's places of worship have been answered. For decades the State Liquor Authority has been granting licenses to bars whose front doors were 200 feet from the front doors of schools or places of worship. No more! New legislation requires the SLA to measure from the property line and not the front door when considering an application. While some cheer this clarification, it potentially dooms entire neighborhoods to limited dining and drinking options forever. For example, in one small area in Harlem between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and Park Avenue and 125th and 135th Streets there are 42 churches and 11 schools and only 11 active licenses. Who will protect this neighborhood's atheists from the places of worship that open within 200 feet of each other?
· Bars To Stay Away From Churches [NYP]
· Harlem Bars Could Be Squeezed Out by Dan Squadron's Tighter Nightlife Law [DNA]
· SLA Coverage [~ENY~}
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