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Macon‑Bibb commissioners approve six alcohol‑license transfers, deny two on distance/vice concerns
Summary
At a Jan. pre‑commission meeting, Macon‑Bibb County commissioners voted on seven retail alcohol license applications, approving six transfers/changes of ownership and denying two applications after legal staff cited distance and vice‑store rules.
Macon‑Bibb County commissioners on Tuesday considered seven retail alcohol‑license applications and voted to approve six and deny two, sending the approved items to the consent agenda.
Legal staff recommended denial for the application from Tienda Bernabe (4221 Mercer University Drive) because the proposed package‑to‑go sale would be 63 feet from church grounds and therefore did not meet the county distance requirement. Commissioners voted to deny that application after a motion from Commissioner Bronson and a second by Commissioner Wynne.
Legal also recommended denial for Making C Store LLC (1471 Rocky Creek Road) on the basis that the business is a vice mart; commissioners approved denial by motion of Commissioner Wynne, seconded by Commissioner Stewart.
The commission approved licenses or changes of ownership for several gas‑station and liquor‑store locations after legal and code enforcement inspections confirmed compliance. Those approvals included: - Viable Food Mart / Mobile Food Mart (3224 Viable Avenue): Code enforcement re‑inspected the site and confirmed pumps and the store were operational; commissioners approved the license (motion by Commissioner Wynne, second by Mayor Proctor McArthur). - Top Line Spirits (3714 Eisenhower Parkway): change of ownership approved (motion by Commissioner Bailey, second by Commissioner Wynne). - Sitgo Food Mart (1681 Rocky Creek [Road]): change of ownership approved (motion by Commissioner Baylou, second by Commissioner Wynne). - 1212 Eisenhower Food Mart / Texaco Food Mart (1212 Eisenhower Parkway): change of ownership approved (motion by Commissioner Bailey, second by Commissioner Bryant). - Food Mart G (3598 Williamson Road): change of ownership approved (motion by Commissioner Bailey, second by Commissioner Winn).
Commissioners asked staff clarifying questions during several items: Commissioner Wynne asked why a location that appeared boarded up was nonetheless approved; staff said code enforcement re‑inspected the site following the previous meeting and confirmed the pumps and operations. Commissioner Bryant asked whether there is a limit on how many times ownership can change; staff said there is no numerical limit but ownership transfers must be arm’s‑length transactions and staff often requires documentation (leases, deeds, sale paperwork) to show legitimate transfers.
The motions carried by voice vote and were to be placed on the consent agenda for the next regular meeting.
Ending: The panel moved on to budget and appropriation items after completing the alcohol‑license docket.
