Cairo Township board approves transfer of liquor license R17441 for 31 Hickory Road venue

Cairo Township held a public hearing and approved the transfer of liquor license R17441 from the borough of Shillington to an LLC planning a restaurant, bar, venue and banquet hall at 31 Hickory Road in Milton, Pennsylvania.

The hearing opened with the chair explaining that an intermunicipal liquor-license transfer requires a public hearing under the liquor code and noting proof of publication in the Reading Eagle on June 5 and June 10, 2024. Applicant Michael Pevben, who said the applicant entity is an LLC named "Bar and Venue," told the board the business would operate as "a restaurant, bar, venue, and banquet hall" and that alcohol sales are part of the business model. Pevben said he and his father are the LLC members and that the premises address is 31 Hickory Road.

The board asked routine questions about past licensing history, zoning and capacity. Pevben said this was the first liquor-license application from him and that he did not believe he or his father had prior violations of the liquor code: "I don't believe so. This is the first application we've submitted for this transcript." A staff member told the board that background and investigative checks are conducted by the PLCV and that zoning for the site had been addressed, including a release from the zoning hearing board to reinstate the prior bar/restaurant use.

A brief capacity exchange produced an approximate figure: when asked about capacity, the applicant deferred to his father but ultimately said, "I would say 99." No members of the public appeared to object during the hearing.

After brief board discussion about the record and the PLCV's investigative role, a motion to transfer the license was made and a roll-call vote was taken by name. The chair announced the motion passed. Board members named during the roll call included Mister Bill Miller, Mister Greg Miller, Mister Bador and Mister Dunnell; affirmative responses were recorded and no dissent was entered.

"With that, the motion passes," the chair said, and added that the law requires a written decision within 45 days of the hearing and that a resolution would be provided to the applicant within that time frame. The applicant offered brief closing remarks and the hearing concluded.

Next steps: the township will issue a written resolution within 45 days; final licensing and any PLCV determinations will follow the decision.