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LaPorte County ABC delays action on Trail Creek liquor license amid address classification dispute
Summary
LaPorte County staff declined to forward a transfer application to the Indiana ATC on May 14 after a remonstrance raised that a license may have been misclassified under a Michigan City address though the business operates in Trail Creek; staff will investigate before the next meeting.
The LaPorte County Alcoholic Beverage Commission declined on May 14 to forward a transfer application to the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission (ATC) after a remonstrance claimed a license tied to Trail Creek may have been misclassified under a Michigan City address.
Michelle Trober, with the State Excise Police, told applicants and business representatives, "I'm not going to forward this one to Indianapolis today until we get the Michigan City/Trail Creek thing straightened out," saying staff would review emails and records and follow up with ATC as needed. The commission was unable to take formal votes at the meeting because there was no quorum.
Business owners and representatives said the apparent address misclassification—driven in part, staff noted, by defaulting systems that use Michigan City zip codes—could put an established Trail Creek license at risk if the state treats it as a Michigan City permit. Commissioners and applicants discussed how a limited quota for licenses in small towns could affect whether a second permit is allowed in the same locality.
Staff acknowledged the uncertainty and told applicants they would research prior correspondence and licensing history and report back before the next meeting. The commission did not make a final determination at the May 14 session and left the matter pending an administrative review and possible ATC guidance.
Next steps: county staff will investigate the paperwork and prior correspondence, consult with the ATC if necessary, and notify the parties about whether the application will be forwarded for final state action.
