Council rejects Rocky’s Bar and Grill extended‑hours liquor license on second reading

The Macomb City Council voted 4–2 on June 16 to deny an ordinance that would have created a Class R plus Extended Hours liquor license for Arowwood Hospitality LLC, doing business as Rocky’s Bar and Grill, at 1420 West Jackson Street.

The council took the item off the table for a second reading and the city attorney read the record of notice and background checks. Alderman Dave Dorset, who led questions during the discussion, asked whether staff had received the site plans the city had requested since the first reading on June 2. Miranda Lambert of the community development office said staff had the applicant’s interior plan and fire‑chief review but were still awaiting final exterior site plans from the engineering firm; she said the firm expected to deliver them later in the week.

City staff told the council that a certificate of occupancy, which depends on completed interior remodeling and approved exterior plans, is not required to issue a liquor license but that the license may be unusable if a certificate of occupancy is not ultimately granted. The city attorney explained the code’s timelines for issuing licenses and the 60‑day continuous operation rule that may be extended if progress is being made on repairs.

After discussion, the roll call produced a 4–2 vote against approving the ordinance. The mayor said, "I would note for the record of the petitioners here, if you get in a position where you can meet some of this criteria, please feel free to apply again," urging the applicant to address staff’s outstanding items.

Because the council denied the ordinance, no license was created. Staff and council members advised the applicant to submit the outstanding site plans and coordinate with building and fire officials before reapplying; the council did not set a specific timeline for reapplication.