Council declines to request hearing on transfer of Lupita’s liquor permits to La Senorita LLC

The Oberlin City Council voted Tuesday to not request a hearing on an application to transfer a D-5 and D-6 liquor permit from Lupita’s Inc., d/b/a Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant, to La Senorita LLC.

The matter arose under agenda item D. Mr. Clark explained the application as “a transfer of an existing license at the same location,” saying the current holder was Lupita’s Inc. and the proposed holder La Senorita LLC. He described the permits as a D-5 and D-6, “which allows for on-site consumption of liquor and beer and wine, and for carryout, beer until 2 a.m., and the D-6 allows that on Sundays.”

Council members were told the police chief supplied a memo indicating “there’s no basis for an objection.” Clark said the city’s revised code permits objection and a hearing only when specific requirements such as criminal activity or public nuisance are present; he said none of those conditions applied. The council then moved not to request a hearing.

Two council members announced recusals at the start of the item because of a potential conflict of interest; the record does not name those members in the recusal remarks. After the vote the recused members rejoined the meeting.

On the motion not to request a hearing, the roll call recorded affirmative votes. McFarland seconded the motion; the clerk called Aye from McFarland, English, Lopez, Peterson and Johnson during the roll call.

The council took no further action on the license transfer at the meeting; the transcript records no objections from police or other staff and no conditions attached to the council’s decision.

The transfer application will proceed per the standard licensing process unless a party files a timely appeal or requests a hearing under the revised code.