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Committee advances Cedar Inn liquor license with 18 conditions after neighborhood meetings
Summary
After multiple neighborhood meetings and public testimony both for and against, the committee advanced a liquor license expansion for Cedar Inn with 18 operating conditions intended to address noise, hours and security concerns.
The Business, Housing and Zoning Committee on Oct. 14 moved forward a license expansion request for the Cedar Inn at the request of staff and council members, after reviving negotiations between the business and neighbors and adopting a set of 18 operating conditions intended to limit late-night impacts.
City staff for business licensing said they had collected 59 public comments opposed and 17 in support, plus a petition with 439 signatures in support, and had held four community meetings with neighbors and the business. Amy Lingo, manager for business licensing, said the conditions are designed to codify the business plan and give the City added enforcement tools and transparency.
Major conditions include: hours of operation and alcohol-service limits that shorten Sunday and Monday hours; Tuesday through Saturday hours that allow later service with defined last‑call windows; outdoor patio closure at 10 p.m.; a rule not to admit new patrons within one hour of closing for an initial monitoring period; service limited to wine and strong beer for eight months while compliance is assessed; dedicated trained security staff focused on crowd dispersal and loitering; and signage reminding patrons they are in a residential neighborhood. Staff said some conditions are temporary and may drop if no violations occur; progressive enforcement and inspections will be used to monitor compliance.
Neighbors who testified asked for earlier closing times (suggesting 11 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and midnight Friday–Saturday), cited concerns about parking, trash, noise, and public nuisance activity, and said many homes sit within 200 feet of the Cedar Inn. Patrons and employees testified in support, saying the Cedar Inn is a longstanding neighborhood business that would struggle to remain competitive with earlier hours and that owners had agreed to many of the proposed conditions. Several Ward 12 residents said they support the business but requested a compromise on hours to reduce impacts to families and children.
Council members praised engagement between neighbors and owners. Council Member Choudhury moved to amend the item to include the current conditions and to forward it; Council Member Jenkins supported the motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Ending: The matter will come to the full City Council for final action on Oct. 23 (full‑council calendar), with staff asking neighbors to continue using the dedicated contact line and 311/911 to report violations so progressive enforcement can be documented.
