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Howard County board conditionally approves Luna del Sea license after applicants acknowledge application errors
Summary
The Howard County Alcohol and Beverage Hearing Board voted June 23 to approve a Class B license for Luna del Sea Steak & Seafood but required the applicants to submit an amended application correcting two inaccuracies about a 2009 probation-before-judgment and a 2018 sale-to-minor violation before the license will be issued.
The Howard County Alcohol and Beverage Hearing Board voted June 23 to approve a Class B beer, wine and liquor on/off-sale license for Center Park View Incorporated, trading as Luna del Sea Steak & Seafood, on the condition that the applicants submit an amended application correcting omissions about prior legal matters.
The board’s discussion focused on discrepancies between the application responses and the county’s background check. Board staff told the panel their review showed that applicant Cameron Asadi had a probation-before-judgment (PBJ) from 2009 and that a March 2018 record indicated a sale to a minor at a Luna Del Sea location in Baltimore. During questioning, Asadi acknowledged the PBJ and said the 2018 incident involved an employee, that the employee quit and that management implemented corrective steps. Asadi also admitted he had marked “no” on the application questions about prior convictions and prior license-related violations and explained his lawyer had advised the matter would be expunged.
Board staff (Mr. Shen) told the board that, because the applicants affirmed their application under oath, the board needed accurate responses and could require an amended filing. The chair moved to grant the license on the condition that the applicants submit an amended application that corrects the omissions on questions 7 and 8 (the PBJ and prior-violation questions). The motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote. The applicants waived their right to appeal.
Why it matters: licensing decisions turn on both current compliance plans and full disclosure of prior legal issues. The board emphasized training and supervisory controls — including alcohol-awareness certification and managerial oversight — as part of the operational commitments the applicants made to reduce future risk.
What the applicants pledged: Asadi and co-applicant Cameron Sarlak told the board they will ensure all staff receive alcohol-awareness training, that a manager will be onsite or available at all times, and that written policies (ID checks, refusal procedures and invoice retention) will be maintained. Counsel confirmed the board can require that the corrected application be filed before issuance of the license.
The board’s action: The conditional approval authorizes the transfer/new license for the 5,735-square-foot restaurant at 8808 Center Park Drive in Columbia; the board recorded a unanimous vote in favor and the applicants waived appeal rights.
Next steps: The license will not be issued until the applicants file the amended application correcting the answers on the specified questions. The board’s next household hearing date was announced as July 21.
