Committee backs beer-only license for Level Up Golf Academy; members voice concern about youth facility location

The Janesville Alcohol License Advisory Committee recommended approval of a class B beer-only license for Level Up Golf Academy LLC, which operates an indoor golf-simulator studio at 3410 Bell Street inside the Limitless Performance fitness facility. The committee voted 4-2, with Chairperson Heather Miller and committee member Bumpus recorded as voting no.

Owner Michael Tabert told the committee his business is primarily golf instruction, club fitting and simulator rentals; beer sales would be a secondary revenue source to support evening golf leagues and simulators, generally during hours no later than about 7 to 9 p.m. The applicant said the studio is a lockable, staffed room inside the larger fitness building and that staff would control access to the beer cooler.

Committee members questioned whether alcohol sales were appropriate within a facility that runs youth programming. City staff read state statute 125.07 and noted the law includes indoor golf simulator facilities in the list of places where underage presence is explicitly allowed under defined circumstances. In the hearing, staff summarized the statute: an underage person not accompanied by a parent may not be on licensed premises unless a statutory exception applies, and indoor golf simulator facilities are included in the exemptions that permit underage presence for specified on-premise activities.

Building-services staff member Vicky Miller told the committee the occupant will need a separate suite number or separate address for the licensed space; she indicated the building department could assign or confirm that at inspection. The applicant said a common restroom is adjacent to the studio and that the studio is staffed during operation.

Motion and vote: Committee member Matthew Sikich moved to approve the beer-only license; George Bruner seconded. The motion passed, 4 yes to 2 no, with Chairperson Heather Miller and committee member Bumpus recorded as voting no. The committee’s positive recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action.

Committee discussion recorded operational safeguards the applicant described: a staffed, lockable studio; a point-of-sale terminal at the simulator desk; staff-only access to the beverage cooler; and the requirement that anyone served alcohol must be of legal age. Committee members asked staff to ensure the licensed floor plan and suite/address are finalized before council action.