Davenport council adopts new liquor sales restrictions

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By Tory Brecht | Wednesday, June 25, 2008 |

Getting booze in Davenport — either from a carry out liquor store or as a minor in a 19-and-over bar — is about to get a bit harder.

Davenport aldermen approved a pair of ordinances dealing with control of alcohol sales during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

The first limits new permits for carry out liquor in most areas of the city, except for a few industrial areas. That ordinance also prohibits new bars from opening in older commercial corridors, such as Locust Street, the Village of East Davenport and the Harrison and Brady corridors.

If existing bars change owners, however, the liquor licenses will still be allowed as long as the establishment was selling alcohol within six months of the ownership change.

Grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants and hotels are exempt from the ordinance.

The council used the city’s zoning laws to limit the liquor locations. Under the ordinance, no new licenses are permitted within 2,700 feet of an existing license.

City Corporate Counsel Tom Warner was asked to draft the ordinance in response to concerns by residents and aldermen about the proliferation of liquor stores around town and an increase in crime that has accompanied their spread.

According to Warner, studies have shown that the concentration of liquor stores has a “destabilizing and detrimental effect” on surrounding residential properties.

Although Wednesday was supposed to be the first reading of the ordinance, the council voted to suspend its rules and pass the second and third readings in order to have the law go into effect before a moratorium on new liquor licenses expires on July 1.

The second alcohol-related item — ending an exemption that allowed certain bars to host 19 and 20-year-olds — passed on first reading only.

That ordinance was championed by 8th Ward Alderman Mike Matson, who said it was “irrational” to expect that 19 and 20-year-olds were not drinking in those establishments.

“We have a law that says the drinking age is 21. I wanted us to look at whether we should be allowing 19 and 20-year-olds in bars late at night,” he said. “We’re doing it for their safety.”

Currently, three bars in Davenport — Los Bananas, Lumpy’s and Club Fusion — allow 19 and 20-year olds to enter.

Alderman Shawn Hamerlinck, 2nd Ward, cast the lone no vote.

The ordinance does allow the 19-year-old exemption at entertainment venues like the Redstone Room, Col Ballroom and Capitol Theatre. It also allows bars to seek special use permits from the City Council to allow minors for festivals or other special events.

Tory Brecht can be contacted at (563) 383-2329 or tbrecht@qctimes.com.