Board fines The Spot $250 per violation after finding unlicensed outdoor deck use and refusal to cooperate
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Inspectors found The Spot used an unlicensed outdoor deck and a manager refused entry to an inspector; the board assessed five violations and $250 fines for each, citing repeated issues and ordered payment within 30 days.
The Board of Liquor License Commissioners on Oct. 23 found The Spot, 1171–73 West Hamburg Street, in violation of multiple liquor-board rules related to unlicensed alterations and refusal to cooperate with inspectors.
Inspectors reported a July 5 incident in which patrons were observed on a deck that lacked board or city-agency final approval. Agent Chase testified that staff initially told inspectors the deck use was authorized by the license but that office checks showed the deck lacked final sign-off; the board recorded the violation for patrons using a deck without authorization. On Sept. 13, an inspector said a manager declined to sign a hearing notice and refused inspector entry, leading to a cooperation violation. An inspector’s Sept. 22 follow-up found door(s) open and patrons on the deck during a Ravens home opener; the manager complied with an instruction to close the door at that time.
Owner/representative Ayesha Ali told the board she had relied on an earlier contractor who pulled permits but did not obtain final inspection sign-off; she said she has tried to locate the contractor and is seeking guidance on how to finalize the deck’s status. Manager Dontray Cotton and owner Ali said they would work with board staff to resolve outstanding permit issues. The board noted prior violations at the location and stressed staff must cooperate fully with inspectors.
The board found five violations — two counts of Rule 4.181 (alterations) for July 5, two counts for Sept. 22 and one count of Rule 3.02(a) (non-cooperation) for Sept. 13 — and assessed $250 for each violation, with 30 days to pay. The chair instructed the licensee to consult with board staff to resolve permit and inspection questions during the payment and compliance period.
Why it matters: Unlicensed alterations and refusal to cooperate with inspectors present regulatory and safety concerns; the penalties are intended to prompt compliance and final permitting.