The Alley Greenville, a music, bowling and entertainment venue slated for the former Handlebar property at 304 E. Stone Ave., got the green light to move forward last night from the Greenville Board of Zoning Appeals – but with conditions.
Thomas Croft Architecture and Rallis Holdings had submitted three applications: to operate as an indoor entertainment facility, to stay open until 2 a.m. and to allow commercial parking in a lot that was zoned R-6, Single-Family Residential. The BZA imposed a total of 35 conditions on those applications.
About 20 residents from nearby and adjacent neighborhoods, including the Park Avenue Historical District, attended the meeting. Approximately five people spoke, voicing their concerns over parking and noise, saying that since the Universal Joint was allowed to open with minimum parking, their streets and driveways have become a danger to children and pedestrians.
“We will support a development – we just want it sensible and balanced,” said one resident.
The biggest concern voiced by residents was parking. Rob Bouton, owner of The Alley in Charleston, and his partners have secured nearby property along Stone Avenue to accommodate more parking spaces and will share those with the Universal Joint. Valet parking will also be offered. But residents were concerned that “it’s not enough” and that adequate signage is a must-have to make sure patrons will know where they can park.
“We’re not the no-fun bunch,” said resident Jeff Hart. “I want Rob to have a great business, just not at the expense of our children.”
Michael Kerski, the city’s planning and development manager, said The Alley has about 110 parking spaces allocated with the additional lots and with the valets able to double-park, that is well over the 72 spaces required by the city.
City staff will work with both The Alley and Universal Joint to put up additional signage directing patrons where to properly park to alleviate unnecessary traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods.
The Alley’s plans fit in well with the city’s Stone Avenue Master Plan that is encouraging development of the corridor into a more walkable and commercial district. Two of the three applications passed the BZA unanimously, with only one “no” vote on the application to stay open until 2 a.m.
“We’re moving down a path towards becoming a reality,” said Bouton.
Some of the conditions imposed would require having four certified SLED security officers on-site anytime there is an event and on weekend nights (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays). Lease agreements will need to be in place for the additional parking at 205, 207 and 209 Stone Ave. A manager for The Alley will need to be on duty at all times, and merchant and server educational plans will need to be in place.
The city is also limiting the capacity of The Alley to 350 patrons. Rear and side doors will need to be secured at all times and an acoustical engineer will need to be engaged to ensure that sound is contained inside the building as much as possible.
The Alley will be allowed to stay open until 2 a.m., but only on weekends and New Year’s Eve. Other nights it will close at midnight. No live music will be allowed after midnight on the weekends, and the two outdoor patios will also need to be closed by midnight.
Bouton said that he is “happy that the exceptions were approved” and he is “continuing to look forward to work with the city and neighbors to bring the best version possible of The Alley to Greenville.”
