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Committee asks staff to study incentives to discourage single‑serve liquor sales near Lincoln Road
Summary
Commissioners asked staff to explore legal and economic options to incentivize discontinuance of packaged/single‑serve liquor sales near Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue, citing public‑space and nuisance concerns; staff will meet with economic development and the city attorney and return with options.
The committee discussed a referral to examine incentives that could reduce single‑serve/package liquor sales near Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue, where commissioners said some retailers and vendors encourage lingering and nuisance behavior.
Commissioner Bhatt described the issue as linked to public nuisance and business mix: "Single‑serve alcohol sales create a landing spot for people to buy a single serve drink and hang out at the bus stop and drink and make it gross and unpleasant for residents and unwelcoming for businesses," he said. Planning staff explained that existing package liquor stores in the area are nonconforming under current distance‑separation rules and that the referral was to identify incentives—such as development intensity increases, impact‑fee reductions, or parking waivers—that might encourage property owners to discontinue package liquor uses where feasible.
Commissioners discussed legal and practical constraints, including existing leases and tenant rights; staff agreed to explore options with the city attorney and economic development and to return in a few months with feasible measures and examples from other cities. The committee continued the item to a future meeting pending staff follow‑up.
