Council backs Glass Box Pedal Club’s county beer-and-wine license recommendation with conditions

The City Council voted 8–0 to recommend that the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners approve a class D beer‑and‑wine license for Glass Box Pedal Club at 4928 College Avenue, contingent on a property‑use agreement approved by the city attorney.

City attorney Stephanie Anderson summarized the request and explained that the county hearing was scheduled for April 28. Counsel for the applicant described the facility as glass‑enclosed paddle courts with a permanently affixed container used for rentals and sales and a prefabricated restroom unit; the site is fully fenced and has a single bicycled/vehicular gate. The applicant’s representative stressed operational limits intended to avoid attracting a late-night bar crowd. As one presenter put it: “This is not going to be a beer garden... It is really designed for the players.”

The applicant proposed business hours that are substantially narrower than the statutory maximums allowed under the license and said the intended hours for normal operations are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; any extended hours for tournaments would be subject to additional approvals. The applicant also proposed single‑serve sales, a minimum drink price and a strict policy to prevent patrons from leaving the premises with alcohol.

Council members asked operational questions — about fencing, restroom facilities, food availability and whether the activity might qualify as an amusement tax item — and staff agreed to follow up on tax classification and licensing logistics. The council motion approved sending the recommendation subject to the property‑use agreement and city‑attorney sign‑off.

Applicant representatives said they will work with county inspectors to resolve permit items (an occupancy/site-plan issue flagged with the county) before the license can be effectuated.