Village board denies cigarette/tobacco/vaping license application for 2135 Racine Street

The Village Board on April 28 voted to deny a new cigarette, tobacco and electronic vaping device license application for 2135 Racine Street submitted by applicant Sahar Asad.

A trustee moved to deny the application; the motion was seconded and the board took comments from the Mount Pleasant police chief and the village attorney before the roll call. The police chief said he did not support the application because the applicant has a complicated criminal history (including expunged matters) and an open pending criminal case in which the applicant, the chief said, had been less than cooperative with officers during an incident. The chief said those factors made it difficult for police to assess how the applicant would comply with licensing requirements.

The village attorney advised trustees that while they may consider public-safety and community character concerns, they may not base a denial on expunged convictions or on charges that did not result in conviction, because expunged matters are legally treated as if they did not occur.

Trustees also discussed local retail density, noting other nearby outlets within walking distance on Mead Street and past problems at some establishments. Trustees said the applicant currently operates a food takeout business at the address and was seeking to expand sales to include cigarette, tobacco and vaping products.

On the roll call, trustees Karas, Doxey, Bhatia, Ventrini, Washburn and DeGroot voted to deny the license; the motion carried.

The board provided no additional written conditions in the meeting record and did not specify statutory citations for denial; the village attorney had earlier cautioned trustees about legally prohibited bases for denial.