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Neighbors press planning board on noise, parking and late hours at proposed 1154 North Ave karaoke bar
Summary
Residents urged the planning board to reject or heavily condition a proposed karaoke bar at 1154 North Ave, citing late‑night hours, likely outdoor congregation, parking overflow and public‑safety concerns. The applicant promised an acoustic study (WSTG) due May 22 and an operations plan; the board left the public hearing open to review the consultant reports.
The planning board continued a public hearing on a change‑of‑use and site plan application for 1154 North Avenue from Hudson Box LLC, a proposal that would create a karaoke venue with private studio rooms and a lounge area. Applicant representatives described revisions to the site plan and signage, removal of an LED screen, ongoing sprinkler discussions with the building department, and an acoustic study by WSTG that the applicant said would be submitted on May 22.
Several neighbors spoke during public comment, pressing the board to deny the change of use or impose stringent conditions. Rob Van Cott (resident of 11 West Church Street) said, "This karaoke bar is, is gonna be located in my backyard," and described concerns about late‑night noise, smoking and parking overflow. Teresa Craft told the board the intersection is already congested and warned that patrons leaving while alcohol is served could create a road hazard. Jim Zellinger, who lives roughly 100 feet from the rear of the building, argued there are inconsistencies in the application and said the proposed hours (midnight on weekdays; 1:30 a.m. on weekends) are "a non‑starter for that part of town."
Applicant Eric Wagner told the board the business model centers on private room reservations with an interior lounge and said the firm retained acoustic consultant WSTG and would submit a finished report. On parking, the project's consultant, Rich D'Andrea of Colliers, said an accumulation analysis for peak occupancy (120–125 people) found a worst‑case need of about 38 parking spaces and that, when layered with nearby uses, the municipal lot could handle peak demand. Multiple board members said they intend to hire or require an independent acoustic review and to condition any approval on demonstrable decibel performance, specific construction details, and enforceable operational controls. The board kept the hearing open pending submission of the WSTG acoustic report and further memos from the board's traffic consultant.
