ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and the Corporation Counsel with a Request to APPROVE the SITE APPLICATION to Change from a Class A (tavern) to a Class B (Restaurant, 50% Food) Liquor License with the Retail Sale of Alcohol at WEST TOWN TAP (formerly CHAMPS WEST), 515 N. WESTERN, with a Subclass 1A (2:00 A.M. CLOSING HOURS), Contingent Upon the Compliance with the Community Development Department’s Requirements for the Freestanding Sign, with a Recommendation from the Liquor Commission to Approve. (Council District 2)
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BACKGROUND: Chris Herold is the President and Owner of a Class A (tavern) licensed business formerly known as CHAMPS WEST at 515 N. Western is currently site-approved for a Class A (tavern) and a Subclass 2 (live entertainment) since 2014. At that time in 2014, there were neighboring property owners who objected to the litter and noise from the proposed establishment and thus, the City Council approved the location for a Class A (tavern), but denied the request for a Subclass 1A (2:00 a.m. closing hours). Mr. Herold also requested a Subclass 3 (beer garden) site approval, but that request was denied by the Liquor Commissioner. The City Council acts only upon the full class site approval and Subclasses 1 (4:00 a.m. closing hours) and 1a (2:00 a.m. closing hours). The 2014 City Council Communication pertaining to this location is attached.
Now, Mr. Herold is requesting site approval change from a Class A (tavern) to a Class B (restaurant, 50% food) Liquor with a Subclass 1A (2:00 a.m. closing hours) and a Subclass 3A (sidewalk café) for 515 N. Western. The location is already approved for Subclass 2 (live entertainment) and there is no change to that subclass site approval. The Liquor Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of this Site Application for Class B (restaurant); Subclass (2:00 a.m.) Minutes of the Liquor Commission Meeting are attached.
For this request, only the Class B (restaurant) and the Subclass 1A (2:00 a.m.) site approval requests require the City Council action since the Subclass 2 (live entertainment) has been previously granted and the Subclass 3A (sidewalk café) is acted upon only by the Liquor Commissioner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Several neighboring property owners expressed concerns in regards to noise from the live entertainment, additional traffic, and the possibility of customers not following the requirements of the subclass for the sidewalk café.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Alcoholic beverages can be sold and consumed at this site as a restaurant along with a 2:00 a.m. closing hours.
IMPACT IF DENIED: This site will continue to serve or sell alcohol as a tavern with live entertainment.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
DEPARTMENT: Legal