Council rejects full liquor license for Gossip Pasta LLC; applicant may reapply for beer-and-wine

Kiana Chaple (presented as the applicant for Gossip Pasta LLC) appeared Feb. 10 seeking approval for a full liquor-by-the-drink license for a small restaurant location long known in the neighborhood. The item had been postponed from a prior meeting and was discussed at length.

Why it matters: The proposed full liquor license raised neighborhood concerns about noise, parking-lot activity and potential impacts on residences located behind the restaurant; council members weighed whether to allow a full liquor license, or to limit the business to beer-and-wine service.

Councilman Mark Egan said he was not in favor of a full liquor license but would not oppose beer-and-wine. Egan noted nearby single-family houses and apartments and referenced prior complaints in the area. The applicant said she has operated restaurants for many years, that she has had liquor licenses before and that she prefers a full license but would accept beer-and-wine if necessary.

After discussion the council proceeded to a vote on a motion to approve the full liquor license. The council considered the motion and then—per the meeting record—the request for a full liquor license “has failed.” The transcript does not include a complete roll-call tally in the public record excerpt; the clerk told the applicant that she could reapply for a beer-and-wine license at a later date.

Ending: The full liquor-license request was denied; the applicant may return to seek beer-and-wine only. The transcript records council concern about neighborhood impacts as a primary reason for rejecting the full license.