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Council approves Sea Level redevelopment liquor license, rejects La Mulata amid neighborhood concerns
Summary
Council approved a redevelopment-area liquor license for Sea Level at 200 S. Washington Square but voted down a separate request for La Mulata at 5334 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., following resident complaints about unpermitted events and ongoing neighborhood disturbances.
The Lansing City Council on March 10 approved a redevelopment-area liquor license for Sea Level at 200 South Washington Square and denied a similar request from La Mulata at 5334 South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard after neighbors and some council members raised concerns about unpermitted events and repeated complaints.
Why it matters: Redevelopment-area liquor licenses are created to encourage economic development in designated shopping districts; council decisions affect which businesses can sell alcohol and how commercial corridors are revitalized.
Council debate and evidence Council Member Brown presented both license applications and explained the state-law framework (Public Act 501 of 2006) that allows cities to request new on-premise licenses in qualifying redevelopment districts. The Sea Level application (the former Grand Traverse Pie site) aimed to open a fast-casual seafood restaurant in the principal shopping district.
Council discussion focused on prior complaints, the applicant’s operating history at one location and the need for a clear business plan and community assurances. Council Member Garza and others reported a past incident where liquor bottles and trash left in a parking lot prompted cleanup by nearby businesses; Garza said the property owner had since promised the problem would not recur and that the owner had applied for a cabaret license and was pursuing facade improvements and a culinary connection through a family member studying at a local culinary program. Vice President Carter and Council Member Hussain said they were uncomfortable basing decisions on promises alone when complaints were recent.
Votes and outcome - Sea Level (200 S. Washington Square): motion passed 6–1. (Roll call recorded: Ayes 6, Nays 1.) - La Mulata (5334 S. MLK Jr. Blvd.): motion failed on roll call; several council members cited multiple complaints that continued after prior interventions.
Public input Residents and commenters during public comment said they supported stricter enforcement for problematic properties and suggested license conditions or stronger oversight. Neighbor Loretta Sanaway told council she could not access the meeting packet materials and urged the council to ensure residents had full information; Nicholas Zandy and others urged stricter action on properties with repeated problems.
Next steps The Sea Level license will proceed with city council support and the applicant will continue any required work with LEDC and licensing authorities. The La Mulata application did not advance; council members and staff discussed monitoring the site and pursuing other enforcement or licensing avenues as needed.
Ending Council members said they wanted consistency in applying redevelopment-license standards and encouraged applicants to show concrete business plans and compliance with neighborhood standards.
