The city’s Plan Commission discussed amendments for the Alcohol Overlay District and approved a mixed-use building on East Washington Avenue Monday.
City Food and Alcohol Policy Coordinator Mark Woulf introduced amendments to create an Alcohol Overlay District in the zoning code, as proposed by the Alcohol License Review Committee.
The overlay district, which would take effect July 1, would not permit new taverns and brewpubs in the area, and nightclubs would only be allowed conditionally. The proposed district includes the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street, the 600 block of University Avenue and the 400 block of North Frances Street.
Woulf also highlighted a new discipline model for alcohol-serving businesses, inspired by the Alcohol License Density Ordinance.
The amendments also define “restaurant-nightclubs” and “nightclubs” and add more regulations for “restaurant-taverns” and “taverns.”
Ald. Ledell Zellers, District 2, raised concerns about some missing definitions, which Woulf said ALRC did not include because restaurants do not serve alcohol and brewpubs are defined by the volume of beer being produced.
Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, commented on areas not covered in the amendments, such as Class A licenses. Woulf said he wanted to make sure the policy-makers were comfortable with Class B licenses before discussing others and said there will likely be a ban on Class A in the overlay district.
Class A licenses permit liquor and grocery stores to sell liquor to be consumed off the premises, while Class B licenses permit hotels, clubs, lodges and bowling alleys to sell alcohol to be consumed on or off the premises.
The Commission postponed the public hearing until March 24.
The Commission also approved a proposal to construct a mixed-use building on East Washington Avenue, which would include a Festival Foods grocery store, an outdoor eating area, residential units and private parking.
Heather Stouder, an American Institute of Certified Planners planning division city agent, said the Urban Design Commission and Plan Commission responded positively to her report.
“Brevity is always a very good sign,” Stouder said. “I think that [Plan Commission is] really happy with the way [the report] is generally consistent with our adopted plans and will really invigorate the Capitol East District.”
