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Council approves event-center license with conditions; several liquor license applications stall after opposition and zoning issues
Summary
Council granted an event-center license to Hidden Gym with conditions after revenue and licensing concerns, tabled a package liquor application that fell short of compliance with a 250-foot rule, and did not approve (for lack of a motion) an application for a retail liquor package store on Eastern Boulevard following neighborhood opposition.
The Montgomery City Council on Sept. 9 approved an event-center (conference-center) license for Hidden Gym at 3758 Norman Bridge Road but added conditions, and took mixed action on several liquor license applications after public comment and legal/land-use concerns.
Hidden Gym: Licensing staff told the council they had received a tip that events were being held at the site without a proper license and that alcohol had been present at some events. Revenue and licensing staff said a cease-and-desist had not yet been issued. The applicant, Marnita Palmer Wright, said she used the facility for family functions and occasional community uses and denied having alcohol sales on site. City licensing staff said they would grant the license with stipulations: no alcohol on the premises, no events after 9:00 p.m., and required security and adherence to event-center rules. The council approved the license by voice vote; one councilmember abstained.
Retail liquor applications: A proposal for a package-class retail liquor store at 720 Eastern Boulevard (Payless Tobacco and Beverage) drew strong opposition from community leaders and neighborhood residents who raised concerns about crime, proximity to a daycare and school, and property values. Pastor K.K. Middleton and others from Carroll Villa urged denial. A motion to deny the application was made and received four votes in favor but failed for lack of majority; with no subsequent motion to approve the application, the item died for lack of a motion and was not approved at the meeting.
A separate application for Smoke Haven at 3759 Eastern Boulevard was flagged as out of compliance with the city's 250-foot proximity rule because the parcel is within the measurement area for a nearby church. The applicant presented maps and argued the location was about 757 feet from the church and asked the council to apply discretion under the relevant municipal ordinance. Councilmember Mitchell said land-use staff determined the application was out of compliance and the council voted to table the item indefinitely so staff could clarify the mapping and measurement.
Other licenses and actions: The council conducted public hearings and granted several other restaurant and lounge licenses on the consent portion of the agenda, including a restaurant license for Rock & Roll Sushi (1470 Taylor Road), Osaka/Japanese Restaurant (8816 Mini Brown Road), and a lounge license for Ricky's at 107 S. Court Street. The council also adopted an ordinance (item 12) requiring council approval of contracts $50,000 and above.
Discussion vs. decision: Councilmembers and licensing staff distinguished between licensing and rezoning or land-use compliance: in some cases a business may be licensed for permitted uses but still face separate zoning constraints. For Hidden Gym, staff and the mayor asked for strict conditions because of prior concerns about event activity; for the Payless application, strong neighborhood opposition and lack of a subsequent motion meant the council did not approve the license.
Speakers and key quotes: Revenue and licensing staff informed the council they "received a tip" about unlicensed activity at Hidden Gym and noted a cease-and-desist had not been issued. Marnita Palmer Wright, the applicant, said she rented the space for family functions and said, "There has not been any alcohol business." Pastor K.K. Middleton, speaking against the Eastern Boulevard package-store application, said Carroll Villa residents and multiple neighborhood organizations opposed another package store near homes, a daycare and a school.
What's next: For Hidden Gym, city licensing will proceed with the stipulated license conditions and monitor compliance. For Payless and Smoke Haven, applicants may return with additional documentation, and planning/land-use staff will follow up on the Smoke Haven proximity determination. The council asked staff to provide clearer guidance on enforcement and on how to handle businesses operating without licenses.
