Members of Madison's Alcohol License Review Committee held an open hearing Wednesday on a plan that would limit alcohol licenses in the downtown area.
Community members were also present to show their support and opposition to the plan that is projected to go into effect in January.
City Alcohol Policy Coordinator Joel Plant said that after the plan is passed, no new openings of bars or liquor stores in the downtown area will be allowed. There are some loopholes to the proposal. For example, new restaurants can open with liquor licenses.
""This is a long-term plan,"" Plant said. ""But in the short-term we will get the message out to the community that we are serious about change.""
Although there is broad support of the plan among the ALRC and downtown residents, some local bar owners oppose the proposed restrictions. Kelly Meuer, owner of State Street Brats, 603 State St., spoke at the meeting.
""If a kid goes out on the weekend and has $20 in his pocket, he will pick up a 30 pack of beer,"" Meuer said. ""Whereas at my place, they can only buy three drinks.""
However, Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, questioned whether Meuer had ""some other motive"" in opposing the density plan, since State Street Brats would likely benefit from reduced competition downtown.
The consequences of private house parties also posed a controversial issue for the committee.
""Two-and-a-half kegs of beer are enough for 55 people to have six servings,"" Plant said.
Police problem analyst Nicole DeMotto said at house parties, the average number of kegs is around five.
MPD Captain Jay Lengfeld reiterated Plant's claim that the density plan has a long-term goal. However, some members of the ALRC questioned if the long-term outcome of the plan will really fix the problems of alcohol-related violence in the downtown area.
Committee member Jose Sentmanant said the plan only focused on one aspect of the alcohol-related problems in Madison. Sentmanant compared addressing only license density to sending only one tank onto a battlefield.
""The problem is that we only sent out one tank instead of several,"" he said. ""Because our one tank got blown up.""
Downtown resident Bob Holloway stressed the need for evidence that the plan is reducing problems after it becomes law.
""We need specific measurable goals that this policy is going to affect,"" Holloway said. ""If there isn't less violence and noise in the downtown area, then there has been no improvement.""
