Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
SECOND SUBSTITUTE: Amending Section 38.05(9)(f) of the Madison General Ordinances related to geographic limitations on Class A and Class B license applications considered by the Common Council after adoption of this ordinance for purposes of regulating density of such alcohol beverage licenses.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: This ordinance provides an objective basis for limiting the granting of liquor licenses for “Class A” and Class “A” establishments for the purpose of limiting density and proximity of such licenses to sensitive sites. A “Class A” license authorizes the retail sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption off the licensed premises where sold in the original packages and containers (also authorizes on premises free taste samples in limited quantities). A Class “A” license authorizes retail sales of fermented malt beverages (e.g. beer, wine coolers) for consumption off the licensed premises where sold and in the original packages, containers, and bottles (also authorizes on premises free taste samples in limited quantities). No sale of alcohol beverages is permitted between the hours of 9 pm and 8 am. Currently there are no limitations on how many “Class A” and Class “A” alcohol beverage licenses can be approved and issued by a municipality. The decision to limit such licenses lies within the individual municipality. The City of Madison currently has 131 active Class A licenses. An applicant has no legal right to the issuance of an alcohol beverage license. Such license is a privilege, not a right. This amendment seeks to limit density and concentration of “Class A” and Class “A” alcohol beverage licenses near sensitive sites by imposing geographic limitations. Research has shown that an over-concentration of alcohol outlets increases the level of alcohol-related disorder and crime. High alcohol outlet density is associated with many social harms among neighborhoods in and around the alcohol outl...
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