Ferguson supervisors approve Rudder's liquor‑license transfer for planned Blue Course Drive store

Ferguson Township supervisors voted Aug. 5 to approve the intermunicipal transfer of restaurant liquor license R‑20922, clearing the way for a planned Rudder's convenience‑grocery location at Blue Course Drive and West College Avenue.

At a public hearing, Jack Burns, associate general counsel for the Rudder's companies, described the chain's training and safety programs, including Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board RAMP certification, mandatory ID scanning and a policy of checking ID for 100% of alcohol sales. Burns said Rudder's aims to have RAMP certification “prior to opening day” and described surveillance and staff training designed to reduce illegal sales and on‑site incidents.

Residents raised concerns about traffic and safety near the intersection and the impact of adding alcoholic beverage sales. An online commenter, Stephen Olmstead, asked whether the township had planned for policing and traffic impacts. Resident Trevor White told the board: “there is going to be an increase in the statistical probability that I will get killed biking home” past the proposed site. Burns and staff responded that a traffic‑impact study was done as part of the land‑development review and that Rudder's provided additional site‑distance work.

Township staff told the board the application met applicable criteria under Pennsylvania law and Ferguson Township ordinances for the municipal review of license transfers. After closing statements from Rudder's counsel, the board moved and approved the resolution by roll call; members present voted in favor.

The permit approval is limited to the license transfer and does not replace land‑development or building permits required for the store project. The township manager noted questions about policing and traffic would continue to be monitored through coordination with the Ferguson Township Police Department and conditions attached to site approvals.