Billiards at the First Block

In case you haven’t heard, the current owner of the old Woods Pharmacy at 1136 Edgewood Avenue, on the First Block, has been trying to get approval from the city to covert that building to a Billiard Parlor.  Since the building is currently zoned CCG-1 there could only be a Billiard Parlor there by exception from the City of Jacksonville Planning Commission.  

This proposed use has created quite a stir with the residents here in Murray Hill.  Many have voiced their opposition at the public meetings or just to themselves and neighbors in private.  Their main argument is that particular area of the neighborhood, being so visible, does not need, nor does anyone want, a dark, seedy pool hall, attracting unsavory characters at all hours of the night.  I completely understand and agree with that viewpoint.  The owner on the other hand argues that he is a billiard aficionado, and that is his love and hobby.  He wants to open a family and community friendly, upscale billiard establishment.  Furthermore he argues, and is correct, that he could open a pub, or sports bar at that location without anyone’s consent.  This would in turn create the potential for the same type of establishment that those in opposition of the Billiard Parlor fear.  To top it off, rumors and assumptions have spread on the subject that I would like to clear up.  I have included an excerpt from a recent post on The Metro Jax forum concerning the speculation that in conjunction with a “pool hall” there would also be a plethora of gaming machines: 

“I just read the minutes from the Planning commission meeting from June 15 concerning the Exception E-06-24 for a Billiard parlor at the old Woods pharmacy. The only mention of gaming machines was a hypothetical assessment of what the owner could do if it were not granted the exception. Their (the owner and legal council) argument is that they could open a sports bar, with two pool tables, darts, and gaming machines in that location immediately without approval from anyone. In addition, a coffee shop was mentioned, which I think we all agree Murray Hill needs. Instead the owner claims that his passion is Billiards and as previously stated wants to open a family and community friendly billiard parlor.

There were six Murray Hill residents that showed up to oppose the exception. Their main arguments were related to parking, late hours of operation, and the general opposition to the idea of a “pool hall” in the neighborhood. They argue that there are as many as four locations in the area to get a game of pool. Not many of the opposition had very valid arguments. They mostly referred to the chaos that was Fat Cats, the previous bar that is now Martini’s.

With that said a brief synopsis of the owner’s intent…..these conditions were part of the public record and ultimately are going to be part of the legal requirements of the exceptions approval:

-Reduce the maximum number of tables from 22 on the original application down to 17.
-Beer and wine only, no liquor
-Maintain the existing Wood’s Pharmacy facade….this included not tinting or smoking the windows to create the dark, gloomy look.
-Make the exception non-transferable upon sale of the property. Thus the next owner would not be able to operate a Billiard parlor.
-A dress code. Men on the weekends required to wear collard shirts. This is in response to the oppositions concerns that there will be an overflow from Martini’s across the thoroughfare and the two could combine crowds to increase traffic and noise in the area.
-No live music or outdoor amplification of music.
-Tables rented by the hour required a deposit of a driver’s license or credit card.
-Limit the hours of operation to 1 am Monday through Thursday, 2 am on Friday and Saturday, and 12 midnight on Sunday.

There were twelve conditions the owner submitted in his package but I could only find the one’s listed above in the minutes.

With that said the commission ultimately decided to approve the exception, overturning the staff recommendations of denial. They almost had to. This proposed used does not contradict the intent of the Zoning Code. I understand why the neighborhood is apprehensive of the idea but we have to take the man (Owner – Gary Goff) at his word. The Commission approved the exception but in doing so leveled some restrictions on it, all listed above. In addition they added a condition that the closing hours be 12 midnight every night no exceptions. Their main concern in the end was the enforceability of those conditions.

Parking also came up a bit. That argument goes like this: A building of that size (7,800 square feet) at the previous use as a pharmacy, at retail parking generation rate would require 26 spaces. For a pool hall three parking spaces are required for every two pool tables thus at 17 tables the required parking would be 25.5 = 26 spaces. Since the pharmacy originally required 26 spaces, the owner vested these spaces and is now going to use them. The commission further pointed out that if the exception was denied and the owner opened up a sports bar there would be a much higher demand for parking and thus the Billiard parlor parking would help mitigate the parking problem. It’s semantics at that point but that is the logic.

I’m the last person that wants a seedy pool hall opened on the First Block Who wants to be intimidated in their own neighborhood. You would want to walk or ride your bike to Moon River. Or take your children down. Without any prior knowledge of the owner, I tend to believe that the owner has community friendly intentions. Legally there is little to stop him now so why not embrace the idea and visit the place. If he opens an upscale Billiard parlor and we all visit generating business and the buzz then why would anyone want to change that into a run down pool hall (not that he would be able to).”

From here I’m not sure what will happen.  There has not been any visible activity at the site, and all efforts to contact the owner have been to no avail.  It will come down to……is the owner telling the truth?  Can the area support an upscale Billiard Parlor?  If so, what other venues will be attracted to the First Block?  If not, can the City enforcing its own restrictions on the exception they approved?