The Township Council has removed the limit on the number of licenses allowed within retail complexes.
The ordinance, adopted on February 7, was prompted by news that another liquor license has become available to West Windsor based on population. West Windsor officials wanted to remove decades-old restrictions that limited where those licenses could be situated, increasing the possibility of yielding more revenue for the township
The township was approached by MarketFair officials about interest in another liquor license. Removing restrictions would allow West Windsor to generate competition and allow it to get the best price for a license.
Consumption licenses are regulated by Census numbers. For every additional 5,000 residents, the township is given the opportunity to sell a consumption license through a competitive process in which retail establishments submit bids. Usually, the establishment that submits the highest price will be awarded the consumption license, and the township will receive the money.
The old ordinance only allowed three liquor licenses — or three establishments per block and lot. With three establishments already holding licenses in MarketFair — Big Fish, P.F. Chang’s, and T.G.I. Fridays — the old ordinance would have forbidden a fourth restaurant from obtaining a liquor license. The amended ordinance removes the requirement that there be at least 100 feet between two licensed establishments.
Cable TV Revisions. The council also adopted revisions to its Cable TV Advisory ordinance to create a smaller Cable TV Advisory Board. The revisions shrink the board from nine to five members to “streamline” the process for handling cable television-related policy decisions.
