HomeMy WebLinkAboutStephen Sherer CommentsStephen T. Sherer
· David E. Wynkoop
Attorneys at Law
Law Offices
SHERER & WYNKOOP~ LLP
730 N. Main Street
Re. Box 31
Meridian, Idaho 83680-2604
Phone 208-887-4800
Fax 208-887-4865
June 4, 2002
RECEIVED
JUN 1 0 2002
City of Meridian
City Clerk Office
Meridian City Council
33 E. Idaho
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Re: Bluernac's Application at
728 N. Main St., Meridian, Idaho
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am a one-third owner ofBoanerges, LLC, which owns the former Intermountain Arms
Building, now housing Idaho Independent Bank, Sherer & Wynkoop law offices, SunAmerica
Securities and the Designing Team Hair Salon.
I would like to state my objections to the introduction of yet a fourth bar into a city block
of old town, bounded by Broadway, Idaho, N. Main St. and E. 2nd St.
Already considerable issues exist surrounding the current three bars making us extremely
leery for the creation of a "bar district" in downtown Meridian. We have had drunks passed out
behind our building which required us to escort our staff personnel to their vehicles to avoid the
potential of unpleasant interactions with these people, who were drunk and disorderly as early as
6:00 in the evening. We have broken beer bottles and other trash strewn through the alley way
between Broadway and Idaho running parallel to the streets, not to mention late night arguments,
indecent exposures, public urination, and minor acts of vandalism. This kind of behavior will
only increase with the addition of another bar.
We have understood that Bluemacs intends to place here in Meridian a sports bar, where
people would come to eat and drink and watch the sporting events. The current facility at 796 N.
Main St. has no kitchen equipment whatsoever, and it would be very expensive to place new
kitchen equipment and properly vent it, for the size space that would remain for patrons. It
seems much more likely that once Bluemacs receives favorable zoning or conditional use
recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission or from the Meridian City
Council, that they would Put in a bikini bar similar to their other operation, which I understand
has limited food service, but is essentially a place where men come to watching the dancing of
scantily-clad women. As is evident with Boise's difficulties with drafting and enforcing an anti-
City of Meridian -2- May 4, 2002
nudity ordinance, I very much doubt that the City of Meridian would either be able to or willing
to commit the necessary funds to addressing any possible nudity issues at Bluemacs.
It is my desire and in my best financial interest to see all of Meridian old-town well
developed and fully functioning, but I think the addition of another bar, irrespective of the
identity and tradition that goes with Bluemacs, is not beneficial for the City of Meridian at this
time.
Parking is already an issue around the block in the evenings. Idaho Independent Bank's
parking lot is full on weekend evenings, and this parking problem will only be exacerbated by an
additional bar. Because of the "trashing" of our block by current bars, I understand Idaho
Independent Bank is considering chaining their parking lot at night, eliminating another twenty
or so parking places.
Our city would'not be well served by the addition of a fourth bar in h single downtown
block.
Sincerely,
SHERER ~WYNKOOP, LLP r'"-') /
Stephen T. Sl~erer
STS/jlm