[Mount Pleasant, September 12]: On Wednesday, the Alcohol Beverage Control Board rejected the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Alliance’s request to require Don Juan’s, Haydee’s, and Don Jaime’s restaurants to re-placard. Claiming that MPNA did not know that Haydee’s, Don Juan’s and Don Jaime’s were asking ABRA to terminate the MPNA voluntary Agreements, MPNA President Laurie Collins today asked the Commission to direct the licenssee to re-post their placards. The Board has set an October 31 date for the roll call hearing in these matters to determine each protestants’ standing.

If granted, MPNA’s request would have substantially delayed resolution of these cases. Counsel for the licensees argued that there was no prejudice to MPNA because they had timely filed protests against all three restaurants. The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D, represented by ANC Chair Gregg Edwards informed the Board that the ANC resolution opposes the MPNA request because it is in the interest of the community to resolve these cases promptly. Finally, Claudia Schlosberg, representing both neighborhood group Hear Mount Pleasant and an alliance of community leaders, provided the Board with copies of the Mount Pleasant Forum (a neighborhood online forum) showing posts from Ms. Collins as early April establishing that MPNA knew that Don Jaime’s, Don Juan’s and Haydee’s are seeking to terminate the MPNA’s Voluntary Agreements.

In ruling against MPNA, the Board rejected all of Ms. Collins’ arguments, deciding instead that the community had adequate notice. These decisions clear the way for the restaurants to proceed with their requests to terminate their MPNA voluntary agreements and bring back live entertainment to Mount Pleasant Street.

Ms. Schlosberg praised the ruling: ”Our victory before the Board is in no small part due to the great pro bono legal team that is representing the licensees but also to the volunteer efforts of many Mount Pleasant residents and community leaders who have been working together for months to resolve differences and come to agreement about how we can best revitalize our commercial district. With our continued commitment to collaboration and communication, we make our community stronger.“