Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Reducing Density of Liquor Stores - A Public Meeting in Reservoir Hill





You are invited to a

PUBLIC MEETING
to discuss

REDUCING DENSITY OF LIQUOR STORES

Tuesday, 18 March 2014
John Eager Howard Recreation Center
2100 Brookfield Avenue
6:30 pm
Free dinner provided by John Eager Howard Recreation Center


Legislation is currently before the Baltimore City Council that would reduce the density of liquor stores in city neighborhoods, and tighten standards for tavern licenses.

Citizens Planning & Housing Association will join us
to lead a discussion of the legislation and how we can support it

Councilman Nick Mosby of the7th District will be present to discuss the legislation

We will also be joined by other West Baltimore community leaders and organization, co-sponsoring this public meeting, including  Coppin Heights CDC, Druid Heights CDC, No Boundaries Coalition, and Penn North Community Association,

An estimated 54.8 percent of Baltimore City Public School children have at least one liquor store within a quarter mile of their home, while only 13.1 percent have a grocery store within a quarter mile of their home.  As we have all experienced, Baltimore children who live in close proximity to alcohol outlets are at increased risk of seeing people selling drugs.

Central West Baltimore does not have very many non-conforming liquor stores.  We do have a number of establishments that hold tavern licenses, but which appear to operate more as packaged goods stores than neighborhood taverns, with the tavern license allowing them to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on-and-off-site from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week

The proposed code requires that all taverns dedicate at least 50% of their sales and floor to on-site consumption to ensure they operate as a true tavern and not merely a packaged goods store.  Those with existing tavern licenses would be given two years to comply.

 

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