The establishment of two additional community entertainment districts would make it easier – and cheaper – for new West Chester Township businesses to get liquor licenses.
There are currently no traditional D-5 permits – which allow sales of beer, wine and mixed drinks – available for issue by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control based on the township’s population, officials said.
New businesses would have to purchase licenses from current permit holders elsewhere, likely at a higher cost. That was the case 15 months ago when Laura’s Roadhouse opened.
Permit holders within the district could purchase a D5-j permit – only available in a community entertainment district – at a lower cost, allowing the holder to sell their existing D-5 permit to a new establishment elsewhere in the township.
“We’re making sure there’s no impediment for additional restaurants – or even more hotels – to come in and get their liquor licenses,’’ said Trustee Mark Welch.
Each community entertainment district is allowed one D5-j license per five acres, with a limit of 15 licenses per district, said Katy Kanelopoulos, the township’s economic development manager.
“Each of these districts is going to have 15 new licenses in it …We’ll have plenty of liquor licenses for years to come.” Welch said.
Under Ohio law trustees can establish a community entertainment district once a landowner submits an application, providing it would contribute to the entertainment, retail, educational, sporting, social, cultural or arts in the community.
Last month administrator Larry Burks submitted two such applications on behalf of the township – which owns land in each – for consideration by the trustees.
They include a 213-acre CED encompassing the Streets of West Chester and a 336-acre district that includes the Union Centre Boulevard/Princeton-Glendale Road area.
There are already two community entertainment districts in the township. The first includes the Voice of America area where the Soho Japanese Bistro and City Barbeque hold the D5-j permits.
The second is the Town Centre area where Chipotle, El Rancho Grande, and Dingle House have D5-j permits.
“This is wonderful for business,’’ said Trustee Lee Wong.
Both applications are on file for public review at administrative offices, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.Trustees could vote to establish the districts as early as next month but have 75 days to make a decision.
Source: Cincinnati
