EDGERTON — An hour of passionate debate convinced the Edgerton City Council to change its mind Monday about reducing the number of liquor licenses available downtown.
After listening to speakers for and against the resolution, the council voted 4-1 not to reduce the number of licenses, three weeks after it voted 5-1 to pass a first reading of the measure.
Mayor Erik Thompson introduced the resolution to reduce the number of licenses from six to four in the historic downtown district after two businesses did not reapply for their licenses.
Fox Point Grille, 2 W. Fulton St., is closed as its owner, Marvin Charleston, struggles to find funding for the restaurant and bar. Hoowie’s Sports Bar, 12 W. Fulton St., closed in early 2008.
Under the resolution, Fox Pointe Grille would have been considered a restaurant and would have been able to continue selling alcohol when and if it reopened.
But Charleston said the resolution still would have restricted him. He bought the building with the understanding he could run his business as a bar or restaurant, he said. He wanted to keep that option in case the restaurant turns out to be unprofitable.
Several business owners said the resolution would put limits on potential investors at a time when the city can’t afford limitations.
“As chamber president, I know that the chamber wants to promote business in Edgerton and not place unnecessary restrictions in getting any business in this town,” said Deena Wettstein of the Edgerton Area Chamber of Commerce.
But others said fewer downtown bars would help attract new businesses.
“The number of bars downtown is unacceptable, and I believe that other businesses will come if they don’t have to worry about being located next to a bar,” Thompson said.
Members of the Edgerton Coalition for a Healthy Community said reducing the number of downtown bars could help reduce underage drinking. Edgerton teens report a higher rate of underage drinking than anywhere in Rock County, they said.
“There is a correlation between the number of alcohol outlets in a community and the drinking behavior,” said Larry Burns, coalition president. “Young people’s decisions to drink depends to a large extent on community norms.”
Alderman Paul Davis, who sponsored the resolution, said he didn’t think it would hurt downtown.
“My motion was to present a downtown and a historic district that would be appealing,” he said.
But the public comments were enough to change the minds of aldermen Matt McIntyre, Chris Lund and Ron Webb. Ken Westby was absent.
Casey Burns, the only alderman to vote against the resolution both times, said he didn’t think reducing the number of bars would help reduce underage drinking.
“How people perceive alcohol consumption does start in the home,” he said. “I’m opposed to government legislating things that should be taught in the home.”
Vote to replace alderman postponed
The Edgerton City Council postponed a vote Monday to replace outgoing Alderman Paul Davis.
The city heard from two candidates interested in filling Davis’ spot as third district alderman. They are:
-- David Maynard, 309 Dorow Ave.
-- Carrie A. Strahota, 6 Cherry St.
The council postponed the vote because Strahota wasn’t available Monday. It heard from Maynard, who said he has lived in Edgerton all his life and wants to get more involved in civic life.
The council plans to hear from Strahota at its July 21 meeting.
Davis is leaving his post because he is moving out of the third district. Monday’s meeting was his last as alderman.