Pompeii Lounge, the subject of ongoing investigations by numerous city agencies, may soon lose its assembly permit.
The Department of Buildings has issued a notice to revoke the assembly permit for the nightclub because the floor plans are contrary to those approved when the club was constructed in 2009.
The lounge’s owner, called 3131 Enterprises, has ten days to dispute the revocation.
On July 19, the club was found to be operating contrary to the occupancy permit, with an illegal cabaret. DOB subsequently investigated the floor plan of the lounge as well, and on Thursday, September 9, issed the order.
“I had asked that the public assembly permit be revoked,” Councilman Jimmy Vacca said. “If the assembly permit is revoked, the lounge would be prohibited from having more than 75 people inside at one time. Right now, they have a permit to have more than double that number in the lounge. I think that this is a good development for people concerned about the quality of life on that part of East Tremont Avenue.”
Vacca said that he does not expect the lounge to close as a result of losing its assembly permit, but that issues neighbors have had with the club might be reduced, such as clubgoers getting rowdy after hours.
In the past, people have acted disorderly in the street outside the club. There have been reports of fighting, sexual activity in cars, and blocking of driveways.
“It’s a step in the right direction, because too many people are complaining,” said Tony Cannata, president of the Waterbury LaSalle Community Association. “The owners of the club are certainly not going to take it lying down because they have spent a lot of money on Pompeii. Nevertheless, we will keep after them if they cause trouble.”
Senator Jeff Klein also requested that the club be investigated and was pleased with the result. If the license is revoked, Klein will take further steps.
“Should we be successful in revoking this permit,” Klein said, “it would limit the amount of people allowed within this establishment and hopefully reduce their advertising, which is littering our streets.”
Vacca said there is a need to send a message to club operators who may want to open up in the quiet, residential Waterbury LaSalle community. He said all businesses need to coexist with their neighbors, including bars and lounges.
“This move by the Department of Buildings was made after a careful and long anaysis,” Vacca said. “I think that businesspeople wanting to open lounges like Pompeii need to realize we are willing to work with all city agencies if a business creates disturbances. This is a community that likes to sleep quietly at night without worrying what is going on outside.”
