In a recent meeting of the Alcohol License Review Committee (ALRC), significant discussions centered around a controversial application for a Class B and Class C liquor license at a local establishment near a college campus. The committee faced strong opposition from neighborhood representatives, who expressed concerns about the implications of allowing hard liquor sales in an area already grappling with underage drinking issues.

Alder Evers articulated the neighborhood's historical resistance to hard liquor sales at this location, emphasizing that previous businesses had not included such provisions in their licenses. He noted that the community had previously engaged in discussions to reach a compromise, but the applicant's recent decision to amend their application to include hard liquor sales—without consulting the neighborhood—was met with disapproval.

The committee members debated the appropriateness of the applicant's absence from the meeting, with some arguing that the applicant should have the opportunity to present their case. However, others pointed out that the applicant had ample opportunity to communicate their intentions and failed to do so, which raised questions about their commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with the community.

Ultimately, the committee decided to refer the application to the next meeting, allowing the applicant a chance to address the concerns raised. However, the prevailing sentiment among committee members was to uphold the neighborhood's wishes and deny the application for hard liquor sales, suggesting that the applicant should focus on rebuilding trust with the community before reapplying in the future.