Council approves new liquor license but asks staff to study tighter local rules

The Des Moines City Council on May 5 approved a new liquor license application and simultaneously directed the city manager and city attorney to study possible changes to local liquor-license regulations, including density or staffing requirements for takeout liquor outlets.

Councilman Coleman opened the discussion by urging a "deep dive" into the city's local liquor regulations, arguing current local rules were minimal and that additional restrictions could address neighborhood problems. “I particularly believe... you couldn't have a liquor carryout license without an establishment that had at least 2 staff on duty,” Coleman said, citing concerns about single-staffed takeout locations.

Mayor Connie Boesen said the request would be turned over to the city manager and city attorney for review. The council then proceeded to vote on the individual license application that prompted the discussion. Coleman moved approval of the new application (4a); the council approved it on a 6-1 vote.

Coleman and other council members also raised related topics — buffer zones for vape shops, expanding protected footprints around schools and churches, and using zoning or licensing density limits to manage concentration of outlets. The city attorney and city manager were asked to collaborate on potential regulatory changes and return with recommendations.

The council did not adopt any new ordinance at the meeting; it approved the application on the record and issued a directive for staff to research and propose policy options. Coleman said he hoped any new regulatory proposals would be developed with sufficient basis to withstand state-level appeal if a denied applicant appealed.