Groves council approves downtown alcohol-sales permit for Mason B.A. Venue

The Groves City council on April 28 approved an alcohol-sales permit for Mason B.A. Venue, a proposed business on Lincoln Avenue, after staff said the application met state and local requirements.

City planning and police staff reviewed the application and “there are no reasons staff has for declining the application,” a staff member told the council. The applicant must also complete the state permit process, which requires the city’s signature before the state issues its license.

The venue is located about 320 feet from a nearby church; staff and council members confirmed that the 300-foot separation requirement was met. Council members voted unanimously to approve the permit; Mayor voted aye, Mayor Pro Temkinidis aye, Council member Holmes aye, Council member Gay aye and Council member McAdams aye.

The council discussed that state rules and local ordinances govern permitted hours and other conditions for alcohol sales. A staff member said the city’s ordinances generally follow the state handbook used for these permits and that the venue must meet all standard conditions before final licensing is completed.

The council did not specify any additional conditional use permit or special-use conditions beyond the standard application and state requirements. The applicant was given the opportunity to speak during the item, and the council proceeded to a vote after confirming the application had gone through the required internal review process.

The permit approval allows the applicant to continue the state licensing steps; final state approval and any required state signatures remain a condition before on-premises sales may begin.