Altamont Corners may soon offer tattoos and hookah smoking

ALTAMONT — Tattoos and tobacco had been subjects tackled by the Altamont Planning Board at its assembly on Monday. 

A paperwork snafu held up the approval of a brand new tattoo store in Altamont Corners whereas the board advised the proprietor of Curry Patta restaurant, additionally positioned within the plaza, it wanted extra details about a cigar and hookah space she desires to have on the deck enlargement it authorised final month in addition to specifics it wants to permit for out of doors music and leisure.

At its March meeting, the board authorised for Altamont Corners a 1,470-square-foot enclosed addition together with a wood deck and stone patio that, taken collectively, would add about 1,500 sq. toes to the undertaking. For the reason that plaza is owned by Jeff Thomas, the constructing addition was an modification to his current special-use allow.

At Monday’s assembly, Nadia Raza sought an modification to her special-use allow to permit Curry Patta to increase into the brand new out of doors area and to permit for out of doors music and leisure. 

Chairwoman Deb Hext requested Raza how she deliberate to have amplified music not disturb the encircling areas, which embody the Altamont Free Library subsequent door, seemingly closed throughout such efficiency occasions, and an condo constructing on the nook of Major Avenue and Maple Avenue. 

Raza answered, “I actually haven’t considered having amplifiers, I simply considered having — I haven’t even thought of dwell bands as of but. I used to be pondering like a guitarist or I used to be pondering like, you recognize, if I can match a piano in there, like a pianist, or violinist, or the stomach dancer goes to return in, and we will management her stage of sound. So I don’t assume that I’d have amplifiers in there.”

Hext pointed that the narrative included in Raza’s submittal for an modification to her special-use allow mentioned there can be dwell bands and amplified music.

Raza then mentioned she had no plans to have dwell bands on the outside of the constructing; they might play inside. 

Raza’s narrative proposed spring and summer season hours can be midday to 10 p.m., on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays within the spring and summer season, and midday to 9 p.m., on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It didn’t embody specifics in regards to the hours for dwell leisure on the restaurant. 

Hext really useful that Raza rewrite and resubmit her narrative and utility as a result of “the narrative says one time [and] the appliance says different occasions.”

Raza additionally for the primary time sought permission to have a cigar and hookah space on the deck — its location can be towards the entrance of the deck close to the car parking zone, she mentioned.

Hookahs, according to the CDC, “Are water pipes which might be used to smoke specifically made tobacco that come in several flavors … Though many customers assume it’s much less dangerous, hookah smoking has lots of the similar well being dangers as cigarette smoking.”

“I’ve a difficulty with that,” mentioned board member Barbara Muhlfelder. “To be sincere, I’m not for the cigar space.”

Hext mentioned state law permits for out of doors smoking and vaping areas supplied the world makes up not more than 25 % of the out of doors seating capability; is a minimum of three toes away from the non-smoking space; and is clearly designated with an indication. 

Hext mentioned to Raza, “We wish one thing from possibly you or your legal professional, that claims how you will adjust to the smoking laws as written by the New York State Division of Well being.”

One concern Hext had was the proximity of the proposed smoking space to the doorway to the library, as a result of state legislation says it may possibly’t be inside 100 toes. Hext thought Raza was out of the 100-foot vary, however mentioned, “I don’t know that for positive.”

The proximity to Orsini Park was additionally a priority.

Hext requested when Raza anticipated having the smoking space, and was advised, “It’d simply be on the weekends,” however that she must confer along with her legal professional after which embody what was determined in her resubmitted utility. 

Altamont resident Judi Dineen, a former smoker involved in regards to the health-related dangers related to smoking, requested Raza, herself a one-time smoker, to elucidate its attraction.

Raza mentioned, “Cigar smok[ing] is a giant factor; it’s nonetheless round. Folks need to come and hang around. You realize, I get women coming in having women’ evening, they need to are available, have mango margaritas. I’ve spoken to many guys that need to come have a guys’ evening and simply come sit down on the deck and smoke a pleasant cigar.”

She continued, “So though we’re all against it, I personally, my husband, and I don’t smoke, we now have three youngsters. However folks have requested for it.”

Hext mentioned every board member has their very own opinion on the problem; nevertheless every member can base his or her choice solely on what village code permits and what New York State laws permit.

New tattoo store

Additionally through the April 26 assembly, the planning board all however signed off on a brand new tattoo store opening up in Altamont Corners. 

Crossroad Tattoo can be shifting into the 1,200-square-foot area that was beforehand occupied by a martial-arts studio.

With the Albany County Planning Board not getting the supplies it wanted in time for its April assembly, it deferred making a call on the undertaking, which meant the village planning board couldn’t approve the store’s special-use allow utility on Monday — but it surely did set a particular assembly for Could 10 to probably approve the appliance. 

Michael Schramm, the proprietor of Crossroad Tattoo, declined an interview.