FeedsCity loosens alcohol rules
A provision that would loosen restrictions on the sale of alcohol was approved by Inkster City Council members during the meeting Monday night.
The majority of council members supported a revision to the city zoning ordinance that allows restaurants to serve alcohol without having to secure petition signatures from residents living within 300 feet of the establishment before being able to do so. The changes eliminate section 155.249, which requires restaurant owners to do so.
No waivers will be given to establishments that are located within 300 feet of a school or nursery, unless the thoroughfare is separated by a four-lane highway.
The changes were approved in response to a growing base of restaurants, and the desire to attract more eateries, said Marcus Hendricks, the sole council member who voted against the measure.
“I definitely think we could use more restaurants, and we need to do more to make them competitive so they can survive,” he said.
“I’m all in favor of getting more restaurants, and having places like Applebee’s, where you can sit down and have a nice dinner and a beer, or a glass of wine,” Hendricks added. “We’re not trying to catch the bar crowd. We’re looking for the beer and wine group.”
Still, the question of removing the petition provision in many cases was problematic for Hendricks because people lost influence over what may or may not be happening in the community.
“I just don’t agree with that,” he said.
The revision was approved at the suggestion of the planning commission to help accommodate local businesses, Hendricks – the city representative on the commission – said he voted against the change when it was at the commission level.
Opening and maintaining a base of eateries has been tough in Inkster, mainly because it has a stagnant business base that was complicated by a difficult statewide economy.
Isabelle’s, a family restaurant on Michigan Avenue, appears to be ready to re-open, but at least three operators have not been successful at the location. A fish establishment on Michigan Avenue has endured several operators.
Other restaurants, like Scooby’s Coney Island, have been mainstays for a long time. Newer businesses like Gracie’s Pastaria have survived the turmoil in the local economy.
The new provisions do have some catch-alls to make sure new establishments can’t take advantage of the rules – essentially operating a bar without permission to do so.
The ordinance reads that liquor may be served for consumption on the premises at a standard restaurant provided that such a use is an accessory to the principal use of the business, and that the bar area where patrons are served does not exceed 20 percent of the total area of the building.
The potential proliferation of alcohol at restaurants is not believed to create an additional public safety hazard in terms of increasing drunk driving arrests.
Hendricks said the city wants the same thing other communities have, including restaurants where adult beverages are served.
“I don’t think it will affect public safety because other cities have the same establishments, and it hasn’t created a problem,” he said.
