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College Park council directs staff to send support letters for three entertainment permits
Summary
The council voted to suspend the rules and direct staff to send letters of support for entertainment permits for Dog House Beer Garden, the Lakelander (formerly The Hall) and Looney’s Pub after presentations from applicants and discussion about noise, hours and security.
The College Park Mayor and Council voted to suspend the rules and direct staff to send letters of support for entertainment permits sought by three downtown establishments: Dog House Beer Garden, the Lakelander (formerly The Hall) and Looney’s Pub. Councilmember Hernandez made the motion, which passed on a voice vote.
Benjamin Carter, an attorney for the applicants, said the businesses will follow the city’s property‑use agreements and the county liquor board’s rules. He told the council the Lakelander will largely continue the Hall’s mode of operation, will close at 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends while offering live music and will add security when events occur. “They'll close at 10:00 on weeknights and 11:00 on weekends,” Carter said.
Council members asked detailed questions about noise control, hours and accessibility. Student liaison Martin and others raised concerns that music inside venues can still be audible in the plaza; Carter said entertainment would be contained indoors and that venues will monitor decibel levels and address complaints promptly.
Councilmember Oates flagged a wheelchair‑accessible table near the planned DJ booth at Dog House; Carter said staff would ensure an accessible table remains available if tables are moved. Councilmember Jordan urged the vote as a signal to the business community that "College Park is willing and able and supportive of there being entertainment within the city." The council emphasized that the Board of License Commissioners still issues entertainment permits and that municipalities may oppose but not approve those permits directly.
The motion directs staff to send letters of support for the three applications to assist the applicants in their upcoming liquor‑board hearings; no change to liquor‑board authority was made. The council took no additional regulatory action at the meeting and noted that formal opposition to a liquor‑board application remains an option if warranted by later developments.
