Several businesses uptown are currently hoping to acquire liquor licenses — though not if Athens City Council members have anything to say about it.
Several businesses uptown are currently hoping to acquire liquor licenses — though not if Athens City Council members have anything to say about it.
Members of the legislative body reviewed three liquor license applications for Athens businesses at Monday night’s committee meeting.
So far, council has received applications for: Chipotle Mexican Grill, 41 S. Court St., the upcoming Thai Paradise restaurant on 102 West Union St. and Jerry’s Tavern on 55 N. Court St, which is currently Ski’s Teases and Collectibles.
Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, announced Chipotle’s application for a liquor permit at last week’s city council meeting. The permit would allow the restaurant to sell liquor until 2:30 a.m.
The licenses would put the city at its full quota of D5 liquor licenses,
Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward and chair of the Planning and Development Committee, proposed passing a resolution that would oppose the new liquor licenses. She also called for a public hearing that would attempt to deny the granting of the licenses.
“That once again has prompted member of the council and community members to talk about the never-ending permit application and granting process,” she said.
Fahl expressed her concern that continuing to grant liquor permit applications citywide might be an unsustainable and dangerous practice if not put in check.
“This time, there is concern,” she said.
Councilwoman Michele Papai, D-3rd Ward, also added the city is currently two D1-type alcohol permits, which allow the sale of beer, over state quota. Additionally, the city is four over quota when it comes to D2 permits, which allows the sale of wine and mixed beverages.
“I don’t understand why the state liquor board let it get this far,” Jennifer Cochran, D-at large, said. “Are we perceived as simply being the Wild West down here?”
Council members also received some apprehension from Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl, who argued that the sale of alcohol was an inescapable part of Uptown business.
“If you’re talking about cities that aren’t influenced by alcohol, you’d have to go to the middle east,” he said.
In spite of his reservations, Wiehl said if the council wanted to pursue a public hearing, they would have to prepare a solid argument against the permits being granted.
“If you really feel this strongly about it I’d say run it through the system and see the working parts,” he said.
Councilman Steve Patterson, D-at large, said he had heard concern from Uptown business owners who said having too many alcohol-serving businesses affects their sales.
Butler advocated for the recovering alcoholic community and said that it is often helpful to have some places uptown that are safe from alcohol.
“I will introduce a resolution on Monday,” Fahl said. “We need to let people know we’re serious about this.”
Patterson also introduced a proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to smoke in city-owned recreational property.
Council largely supported the measure, though Papai raised concerns regarding where smokers might go if they were at a park-related event and needed a smoke break.
Patterson resolved the issue by explaining that smokers could smoke in their cars in the parking lot.
“I think it’s a nice positive step in the battle,” said Safety-Service Director Paul Horan-Mosely, who is also a smoker.
wt198712@ohio.edu
@wtperkins
