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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Deborah Lang, Assistant Corporation Counsel
DATE: August 14, 2020
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance amending provisions of the Aurora Liquor Control Ordinance pertaining to nuisances and "allowed Areas" for licenses.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past year, staff has been reviewing and updating Chapter 6 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances. This proposed amendment represents an update requested by the Zoning and Planning Department to streamline the "Special Use" process.
Staff further recommends an amendment to clarify the definition of the term "nuisance activity"
DISCUSSION:
The current ordinance calls for a liquor license applicant whose proposed business will reside within 500 feet of a residential area, to go through the "Special Use" (SU) process to obtain permission. The process to obtain a SU takes 60-90 days, making it costly and time consuming for the applicant. The proposed process would mirror the one adopted by the City Council in September of 2019 (Exhibit B - Legistar File 19-0496) to address businesses within a set distance of a church or school.
The process described in 6-13(d)(2) provides a review process that allows the applicant to submit information to the Liquor Control Hearing Officer, who then reviews and provides a recommendation to the Local Liquor Control Commissioner. Included in this process is the Ward Alderman, who is given the opportunity to submit written feedback on the proposed business location to the hearing officer (6-13(d)(3)). If the Local Liquor Control Commissioner provides a favorable recommendation, document granting the distance reduction is included in the liquor application packet provided to the City Council.
Adopting this process to replace the current SU was discussed as part of the Chapter 6 changes approved by the City Council in April of 2020. There will be additional proposed amendments to this section in the future, specifically pertaining to outdoor dining.
IMPACT STAT...
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