Lynn pub owner appeals second 10-day suspension

LYNN – Summer Street pub Raffi’s Place has appealed a 10-day suspension issued last month by the Lynn Licensing Board for overcrowding violations, and will remain open until further review by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.A second 10-day suspension, also for overcrowding, was previously issued in April by the board and was later appealed by owner Rafael A. Guzman.That case will be hashed out before the ABCC July 9.After a series of separate issues involving building code standards, the pub is now in the clear according to Roger Ennis, chief building inspector for the Inspectional Services Department.”A certificate of occupancy was issued Friday for 151 people, and that is the final approved amount,” he said. “But that is only from a construction standpoint on our end. The other problems are handled by the Licensing Board.”Unfinished plumbing work, a non-compliant front door, a non-compliant handicap ramp, sidewalk repairs and parking were all items listed as incomplete on Ennis’ checklist.The work is now all complete except for a pending appeal to the Board Building Regulatory Standards regarding the front door, and a pending appeal to the Architectural Access Board for the handicap ramp.Ennis said the previously unfinished work held up the certificate of occupancy from being issued, and resulted in the temporary occupancy of 115 staying in effect for longer than expected.Issued last June after a fire gutted the building, the temporary occupancy was reportedly violated twice – once at 150 people, and the second time at 137 people.Guzman denied both charges.Prior to the blaze last year, Ennis said the pub’s occupancy was well over 200 because of an auxiliary parking lot that Guzman used to own.The new occupancy of 151 was reportedly configured from interior changes of the floor layout.”It’s always been the practice to allow a place to open with two variances, so the certificate was issued,” Ennis said. “The fire and safety components are all in place as well.”Ennis said he is doubtful the occupancy permit amount will increase once the appealed construction items are resolved.In regard to the overcrowding charges, Ennis previously said Guzman could face lofty penalties from the building and fire departments in the wake of the deadly Rhode Island nightclub fire.The building department could issue a $5,000 fine, imprisonment for not more than 2 1/2 years or both, while the fire department could cite a business owner with a $10,000 fine for the first offense of overcrowding.