Ravenna once again will challenge a liquor license proposed near a Ravenna elementary school.
City Council’s Committee of the Whole recently discussed an upcoming hearing over the request for a liquor license from a convenience store at 623 W. Main St. The hearing at 1 p.m. July 23 will be broadcast live from City Council chambers, and can be streamed online.
Council President Rob Kairis said the store owners previously asked for a TREX liquor license transfer request, which council opposed with a 5-2 vote, saying the convenience store didn’t represent economic development.
Another liquor license later became available, and now the store is applying to transfer that license. Council decided earlier this year to object to that also. Kairis warned council that although the city can request a hearing, it’s not as easy to kill a liquor license request, and the city can’t use the same objections that it would for a TREX request.
The store previously operated as a Lawson’s and had a liquor license at that time, but it most recently operated as a hair salon. It is near West Main Elementary School.
Councilwoman Amy Michael, a vocal opponent of the liquor license, said she objects because of the store’s proximity to the school. Residents also have contacted her to say they believe the project lowers their property values.
“We are trying to set a higher standard for our community,” she said. “This is not a standard we want to have next to our school.”
When Kairis said council’s objection might not carry as much weight as it did during the TREX request, she said she was still grateful for the hearing.
“At least I can go on the record and state how I feel,” she said.
Councilman Tim Calfee pointed out that there are several places in the immediate area where people can buy alcohol, including a beverage drive-thru across the street, a Circle K and Family Dollar store.
Law Director Frank Cimino will present the city’s case, and a lineup of other people who will testify was established.
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna again to challenge liquor sales near elementary school
Reporting by Diane Smith, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
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