Another liquor license has become available to West Windsor based on population, and the possibility of yielding more revenue for the township also has West Windsor officials looking to removing decades-old restrictions that limit where those licenses could be situated.
During the Township Council’s meeting on January 18, the council introduced an ordinance that would remove the limit on the number of licenses allowed within retail complexes — specified in township code as planned commercial developments. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 7.
Prior to introduction, the council discussed reasons for removing the limits at the January 10 meeting.
“It’s been determined that we do have the population base with which to sell another consumption license,” said Business Administrator Robert Hary, who said the township was approached by MarketFair officials about interest in another liquor license and that there may be other shopping centers where a consumption license is sought. “We thought it was a very good time now to address that issue, so we can get some competition and 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. For every 7,500 residents, the township is awarded a distribution license to sell.
In discussions with MarketFair, one of the issues that came up is that the current ordinance only allows 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 — current ordinance would forbid a fourth restaurant from obtaining a liquor license.
“What we’d like to do with this draft ordinance is to amend that to allow more,” said Hary. In doing that, the council is also hoping to remove the requirement that there be at least 100 feet between two licensed establishments. “The whole purpose for this is to generate as much interest within the community for a good, competitive bid for our liquor license.”
Hary said police and community development officials told the administration they see no problems with the potential for four restaurants having consumption licenses in MarketFair.
“I can’t understand why we’re having any limits,” said Councilman Charles Morgan. “I can imagine us not wanting to have a street with 15 bars, but I don’t understand the need for any of this.”
Because state statute restricts the number of licenses based on population, there are already limits enforced, said Morgan. “With our population-constrained limits on consumption licenses anyway, I don’t see why we don’t clean out this whole provision.”
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh echoed the sentiment. “We want to make sure we can attract more reputable restaurants coming to West Windsor,” he said.
If the restrictions are not lifted, it essentially would discourage any restaurant from coming into places like MarketFair, said Hsueh.
The township will have the opportunity to add licenses as part of the redevelopment area, which is covered under a different statute, said Township Attorney Michael Herbert. — Cara Latham
