Houghton approves Applebee’s liquor license
Houghton approves Applebee’s liquor license
Honors Raffaelli, Lee Hauswirth
By GARRETT NEESE, DMG Writer
HOUGHTON — There will be no topless dancers at Applebee’s.
There will, however, be alcohol. The Houghton City Council Wednesday approved the transfer of a liquor license from Jake’s Bar on M-26 in Winona to the newly constructed Applebee’s location at 980 Razorback Drive.
The bar, owned by DJ Chaudier Inc., recently closed.
The council approved the transfer unanimously — but not before a misreading of the license raised some eyebrows.
After stating that any transfer must be OK’d by the local government, the notice continues, “Local approval is also required for DANCE, ENTERTAINMENT, DANCE-ENTERTAINMENT OR TOPLESS ACTIVITY permits by authority of MCL 436.1916.”
Some council members zeroed in on the all-caps portion with alarm, resulting in a half-minute or so of confusion before Clerk Kurt Kuure clarified the reading.
“That makes me feel much better,” said Councilwoman Rachel Lankton.
In other action, the council:
• honored Police Chief Ralph Raffaelli and Fireman Lee Hauswirth for winning national service awards from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“You guys have dedicated your life to the city, and protecting us,” said Mayor Eric Peterson.
City Manager Scott MacInnes praised both winners.
“We’re very proud of you both and stand by your many, many years of service,” he said.
• set a public hearing for Aug. 9 for the housing license for the Charleston House Historic Inn building at 918 College Ave. The Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity plans to use the building as its house.
• set public hearings for Aug. 9 on a parking variance and housing variance for 103 E. Houghton Ave. The building, currently zoned R-3 (multiple family), would house four Michigan Tech University students.
• heard from Department of Public Works Supervisor Mark Zenner that clearing work has been finished on the lower half of the Nara Sled Trail. Zenner estimated work at the site, which also includes a sled hill, was about 75 percent complete.
• said road work would soon begin on Razorback Drive. The work, to be done between the Huron Centre and Sharon Avenue, will take place in installments.
• heard an update from Zenner on possible paving jobs for the summer. The work, estimated at nearly $114,700, includes projects on Quincy Street, Bridge Street, Huron Street, Lake Avenue, Portage Street, Sixth Street, lower Emerald Street, Houghton Avenue, Dodge Street and South Street. As the full amount would be too expensive, the council members will visit the sites before the next council meeting to see which jobs are the most necessary.
• approved Community Development Block Grant applications for a $165,000 Signature Building Grant to redevelop the former Superior Music building, as well as a Facade Improvement Program Grant providing $200,000 for seven downtown businesses.
• gave permission for the building of a snow village in the Waterfront Park parking lot.
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.
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