Applicant for Rocky's Bar and Grill Seeks Class R Liquor License; Council Asks About Residency and ADA Compliance

The Macomb Committee of the Whole heard from an applicant for a Class R (restaurant with extended hours) liquor license for Arrowwood Hospitality LLC, doing business as Rocky's Bar and Grill, at its meeting.

A staff member introduced the ordinance, noting it had its first reading on July 2 and was tabled at last week's council meeting. The petitioner (identified in the transcript as Mr. Cardick) was present to answer questions about timing, staffing and building improvements.

Why it matters: a Class R license would allow the business to operate with extended hours and serve liquor on-site; council members focused on whether the applicant will meet the city's residency and building-code requirements before the license is activated.

Council members asked the applicant whether he will serve as the resident manager. The applicant said he intends to do so and that his projected move to Macomb was originally planned for May but has been postponed to August because the restaurant is still being prepared. A staff member said, “Our code does require if the applicant is not a resident that they designate a resident manager,” and described staff practice of allowing time for residency or for a resident manager designation to be completed, with a condition that a certificate of occupancy or an approved resident-manager application and background check be in place before the license is active. Staff further said that the city’s timeline requires issuance of the license within 30 days from passage of the ordinance.

Miranda, the community development coordinator, told the council that the city is awaiting two elements of the applicant’s plan: engineered exterior parking plans to confirm striping meets ADA requirements and internal restroom plans and measurements because prior configurations may not meet current ADA standards. She said staff has requested restriping plans from the applicant’s engineer and internal measurements for review, noting that parking appeared ample but must meet ADA rules.

Alderman Dave Dorset pressed the applicant on operations and property status. The applicant said he previously operated full-service restaurants in Charleston, Ill., and Dallas, Texas, and that while he purchased the building in January it was listed for sale; he denied plans to flip the property and said he intends to continue operating it with a local partner.

No final council vote or final action on the ordinance is recorded in the transcript. The meeting concluded after an adjournment motion was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will continue plan review for ADA compliance and building readiness, and the council’s ability to issue the liquor license will be contingent on meeting residency or resident-manager and certificate-of-occupancy requirements identified by staff.