Caledonia Argus

Board rejects liquor license in Money Creek

Posted: 4/8/03

The county board has unanimously rejected an application for a liquor license for Eleanor Coulson. The decision of the board was made April 8, one week after a public hearing was held on the application.

Mrs. Coulson was applying for a liquor license for the ìPit Stop,î a restaurant/convenience store in Money Creek township. Her son Corey was originally going to apply for the license, but due to a prior felony conviction was unable to do so. Mrs. Coulson, 84, and her son told commissioners last week that she is the owner of the business and that Corey would be employed at the Pit Stop as a cook and that a full-time manager would be hired for the day to day operations of the business.

Dennis Dalen, attorney for the Coulsons, told the board that there would be no reason for the license to be denied since Mrs. Coulson met all the necessary criteria.

ìI think this establishment would be a boon to the area,î said Dalen. ìMrs. Coulson has done everything she needs to do.î

Dalen pointed out that the property is zoned B-2, and that a bar/restaurant is a permitted use. He also noted that the statute that prohibits convicted felons from holding liquor licenses does not prohibit them from being involved, directly or indirectly, with the operation of a business that sells liquor.

County attorney Rick Jackson disagreed with that interpretation of the statute.

ìHypothetically, if a person has all the power and authority of a license and it is simply in another personís name, the law has no meaning,î he said.

Commission Kevin Kelleher, whose district includes Money Creek township, moved to deny the application for an on/off sale license. ìObviously, there are issues with (Coreyís) involvement,î said Kelleher.

ìThe applicant needs to be in charge and able to control what goes on, and I donít think thatís the case.î

Kelleher also noted the testimony of the Money Creek Township residents who spoke the week before of their concerns over traffic, safety and the quality of life should a business that serves and sells liquor open there.

Board Chair David Corcoran said he kept an open mind on the matter ìup to the end,î but said it is his conclusion that the residents of Money Creek donít want the business there.

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