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Lansing council adopts resolution objecting to transfer of three escrowed liquor licenses
Summary
The Lansing City Council voted to adopt a resolution objecting to a proposed transfer of three escrowed liquor licenses to Advanced UZP, Inc., citing neighborhood impacts and high local license density. The measure passed after committee debate and public comment.
The Lansing City Council on Feb. 24 adopted a resolution objecting to a proposed transfer of three escrowed liquor licenses to an applicant identified as Advanced UZP, Inc., council members said.
The resolution, moved by Councilmember Hussain and discussed at the Committee of the Whole, asks the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to consider the city's concerns about site suitability and neighborhood impact before approving license transfers for 4700 Pleasant Grove Road, 1910 E. Michigan Ave. and 4519 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Councilmember Hussain said the resolution gives the city a formal way to register concerns with the Liquor Control Commission, pointing to the "saturation of alcohol in these specific areas" and prior enforcement problems at some of the properties. Vice President Carter noted the city currently has more liquor licenses in circulation than state records would suggest is appropriate for Lansing, framing density as part of the objection.
Members of the public urged caution. Jody Washington, an Eastside resident, told the council: "When you vote on these, use historical data. . . . Is our goal to help people scaffold to a better place in life, or is it to keep them where they are?" Mitch Rice, who spoke on the Metro Bowl property and other matters, said he supported denying the transfer because of neighborhood conditions.
The Committee of the Whole had sent the resolution forward on a 6-2 vote. Council discussion at final consideration included a roll-call on a motion to reconsider; the roll-call recorded five yeas and three nays on reconsideration (Jackson, Palavenaglia, Brown, Carter, Garza recorded as yes in that roll call; Hussain, Costa, Spadafore as no). After further discussion the resolution was adopted.
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission reviews municipal input when deciding whether to approve transfers; the council's resolution will be part of the record the state board reviews.
The city clerk's office will forward the council resolution to the Liquor Control Commission and include letters received from neighborhood groups supporting the objection, council staff said.
