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Board approves first reading of liquor-license rewrite with lottery and location limits
Summary
Ordinance 2026-02 passed first reading Feb. 2, 2026. The draft sets application and vetting procedures, a $500 certificate application fee, zoning limits (B2 and SC), a 500-foot buffer from sensitive uses, a 1,500-foot separation between liquor stores, a flat cap of two package stores, and a blind-lottery process for limited certificates; staff will publish notices for a second reading and public hearing March 3, 2026.
The Arlington Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved first reading of Ordinance 2026-02 on Feb. 2, beginning the process to rewrite the town's liquor-license chapter.
Staff presenter Mrs. Reader told the board the draft creates a certificate-of-compliance application and processing procedure that includes a $500 application fee to cover background checks and processing. The ordinance specifies allowable zoning for package stores (B2 and SC), introduces a 500-foot separation from "sensitive uses" (churches, schools, libraries and public parks) with recommended rewording to "detached dwelling unit" for residential separations, and establishes a 1,500-foot separation between package stores. It also replaces the population-based cap with a flat limit of two in-town package stores and adds building requirements, including a state-derived rule that stores be on a ground floor with a single public entrance, and for new package stores to be in single-tenant buildings.
The ordinance sets out an application window and a blind-lottery selection if more qualifying applicants apply than there are available certificates. Staff described the proposed steps: a public notice and a 20-day application period; staff vetting for zoning compliance, distance measurements and background checks; a blind drawing to select winners for board hearing; a 180-day deadline for a selected applicant to apply to the state after certificate issuance; and a three-year limit to secure a certificate of occupancy or begin the permitted project, with board discretion to rescind a certificate that is not used.
Nick Vesco, representing Vesco's Arlington Liquors, addressed the board during public comment and urged caution about opening additional liquor licenses. "We've been out here now for 27 years ... our sales the store are down 10% a year over the past 3 years," he said, and asked to see the draft ordinance before final action. He also urged patience and compliance with underage sales enforcement.
Council members probed several technical issues: whether applicants must show site control or only a contingent contract, how the town will vet multiple applicants who list the same parcel, whether the 1,500-foot separation is legally defensible, how distance will be measured (direct straight-line "as the crow flies"), and whether the town could increase the separation further. Staff and the town attorney said the 1,500-foot measure follows local practice in nearby jurisdictions and has been litigated in the region in the past; they recommended staff return with clarifying language for second reading on contested points such as proof-of-site control and contract contingencies.
The board voted to advance the ordinance on first reading. The measure will be published and scheduled for a second reading and public hearing, giving applicants and other stakeholders a formal chance to comment before the local certificate process is finalized.
Action taken: The board approved first reading of Ordinance 2026-02 by unanimous vote. Motion to approve was moved and seconded; staff will publish notices and prepare the item for the March 3 public hearing.
