Plan B and neighbors reach agreement to fix noise as ALRC renews license

An early graphic on the side of Plan B which has since been scraped off. If the agreement is approved by all parties a new mural will go up on this wall.

In the hours before the Alcohol Licensing Review Committee was to meet to rule on the renewal of Plan B’s license, the nightclub, the Marquette Neighborhood Association and neighbors concerned by noise came to an agreement about how to address the issue collaboratively.

The agreement is independent of any ALRC action, but evolved out of the committee’s directive from last year’s separation hearing for all the parties to continue to work together. Later during the hearing, the ALRC renewed Plan B’s license.

It is unclear if the renewal was a direct result of the announced agreement but City of Madison representatives were closely involved in helping to craft the deal. The agreement is still tentative and the MNA Board will consider whether to endorse at its meeting on Thursday. 

The multi-point agreement calls for Plan B to move forward with additional exterior roof insulation which the affected neighbors on Jenifer Street had sought. The insulation would have to be installed in four months time and both the MNA and the neighbors will work with Plan B to hold fundraisers to raise $6,000 of the estimated $12,000 cost of the project. Steve Gallo, one of the noise affected neighbors, will oversee the bids for the roof insulation.

Read the agreement here

As part of the agreement, the neighbors will not oppose Plan B’s expansion of the club to the second floor, and specific design and construction requirements that Plan B must adhere to were included. Should the roof insulation not prove effective, all parties agree to continue to find new solutions that don’t involve ALRC action.

One final cultural aspect was added to the agreement which recognizes Plan B’s role in the culture and fabric of the neighborhood. A mural will be added to the east wall of the building to “create a positive welcoming visibility”, according to the agreement.

“Please join me in celebrating getting to a place a very long time coming where we can all embrace Plan B’s presence in the ‘hood” MNA President Michael Jacob wrote in an email to the neighborhood announcing the agreement.

Related: Opinion: Plan B Should Try Harder

Related: Plan B Alcohol License to Receive Special Hearing

Related: MNA Requests License Review of Plan B

Read the MNA letter to the ALRC here