ODAM Law

Club without a clubhouse to keep license

28th August 2007

Club without a clubhouse to keep license

Date: 8/28/2007

by MATTHEW OLSON

KENOSHA NEWS

The liquor license at Strawberry Creek’s golf course faced revocation Monday night, not because of any license penalties but due to delays in building a permanent clubhouse.

On Monday, the Licensing/Permit Committee deferred any action on The Club at Strawberry Creek’s beer and liquor license.

The delay gives the developer time to get construction of a permanent structure under way. The west-side course can continue serving alcohol until then.

Assistant City Attorney Matthew Knight said no formal complaint had been drawn against the golf course.

“Their license has no demerit points and no penalties,” Knight said. “They haven’t failed to submit something when it was supposed to be submitted. Most of our revocations have to deal with underage drinking or not having any managers on the premises, but there’s none of that going on here.”

Alderman Don Ruef, who is not on the Licensing/Permit Committee, said he did not support extending the license.

“I just don’t see that as being fair for the general run-of-the-mill license holders,” Ruef said. “They have had more than ample time out there to do something ... and I think there should be a deadline for building, and it should not be two years.”

Permits for a temporary clubhouse were originally approved in July 2005, and the facility opened a few months later. Use of that temporary facility was extended twice by the Plan Commission, city development coordinator Brian Wilke said.

The most recent extension, where Ruef was the sole opposing vote, came last month. The proposed one-year extension was reduced until the end of January 2008.

“If construction is well under way at that point, I think the staff would recommend approval for an extension until the end of that construction,” Wilke said. “If they have not performed that construction, staff would likely recommend the denial of (another) extension.”

The liquor license decision deferral was recommended by the city attorney’s office to gauge progress on the new clubhouse, which could be under construction soon. Wilke said city staff have recently completed a second review of plans for the permanent structure and have sent their comments to the developer.

J. Michael McTernan, an attorney representing Strawberry Creek, said the ultimate goal is to build an appropriate facility.

“We’re here for the long haul,” McTernan said. “And part of that process is building a permanent clubhouse we can be proud of.”

The majority of the alcohol sales at Strawberry Creek are from beverage carts along the course, which would not be affected by the clubhouse facilities.

The Club at Strawberry Creek was also due for an economic impact review after the first year of its liquor license. Knight said Monday the site met an acceptable level of sales.