Liquor Licenses Up For Consideration Tonight

The City Council's June agenda-fixing session is tonight, at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave.

The date and place deviate from the usual 2013 schedule

Dr. Yood has covered many of the topics up for consideration and Plaintalker may write more between now and the June 17 regular meeting  At 8:30 tonight, the council will hold a special meeting on budget amendments.

Meanwhile, here is another topic:
It is the time of year for liquor license renewals, which annually brings concerns that the city has too many and that these establishments tend to contribute to crime (robberies and assaults of patrons in the wee hours) and quality of life (panhandling, public intoxication and urination, loitering). Lately though, the issue of developer Frank Cretella's need for liquor licenses to advance his plans for restaurants has come up, but that is between holders of active or non-active licenses and Cretella.. The licenses are valuable and made more so by the presence of somebody who really wants and needs a couple. It is unclear, given the fact that Plainfield exceeds the number of licenses per population set by the state, whether the city itself could create and sell a new license or two to the only viable developer on the scene.

Given the value of a license, it is somewhat surprising how many license holders fail to meet the requirements for annual renewal, either by failing to get state tax clearance or not paying required fees. One of the four club licenses is in this category and there is also a very vocal citizen who wants the fifth license, now defunct, restored in order to support youth activity that club members mentor. So far, the council has rebuffed the notion that this mentorship will suffer for lack of a liquor license.

Nine bars, restaurants and night clubs have met the renewal requirements, while eight have not. Ten liquor stores are ready for renewal, but the holder of one "pocket license" failed to meet deadlines for fees and tax clearance. One license, for the liquor store at Clinton & West Front, was recommended for non-renewal by the Police Division. In past years, the owner has pleaded for renewal despite police and neighborhood objections over conditions there.

One night club owner who has not met requirements for renewal is also on the agenda seeking city permission to hold a three-day outdoor event in September. One would think he would want to put his best foot forward at this juncture, though he may be expecting to achieve renewal in coming weeks.

Another interesting sidelight to Plaintalker is the increase of hookah use in night clubs, as evidenced in advertisements. The Planning Board voiced many concerns to an applicant for a hookah lounge a few years ago, but popularity of the trend has apparently led clubs to provide hookahs for patrons despite possibly similar issues as those raised by the board (click here for post). Because the city has no rules on hookah use in clubs, there is nothing to enforce at this point.

--Bernice