on 05-08-2009 04:04

Council takes no action on first two license requests since moratorium was lifted

By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET - A moratorium on new beer and wine licenses was recently lifted, but public hearings for the first two eateries applying for such licenses brought out some weighty issues for the City Council's Board of License Commissioners to mull over.

After lengthy discussion, the board opted to table for two weeks any decisions regarding both applicants, Rosa's Kitchen, at 757 Main St. and La Arepa, at 574 Smithfield Ave.
The public hearing for J & K Restaurant, Inc., doing business as Rosa's Kitchen, drew a large crowd, with supporters and protesters almost evenly divided. Attorney George Hovarth, saying he wanted more time to prepare for the hearing, asked for a two-week continuance, which the board agreed to. Those in attendance, however, were allowed to still voice their opinions on the license application.
Kathy Santos, daughter of Rosa's Kitchen owner Rosa Lopes, told the board that while her family has operated the restaurant for five years, they feel they need to serve beer and wine with lunch and dinner items in order to expand their customer base.
Santos described the restaurant, which can seat up to 34 people, as "family-oriented," and said that despite some sporadic problems with teenagers loitering outside, it does not have trouble with its typical clientele.
Numerous customers of Santos backed her up, saying that the restaurant offers good food in a safe and secure environment. David Tavares and Larry Coutu were among several regular patrons who stated that their dining experience would be greatly enhanced by being able to have a glass of beer or wine with their dinner.
However, many residents of the surrounding neighborhood spoke in opposition to the license, citing a potential increase in alcohol-fueled disturbances, increased noise and litter, and parking-related problems.
Suzanne Mailhot, president of the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association, said her group feels that granting such a license "is not in the best interests of the neighborhood." She said there have been problems with teens from a local gang hanging around that block and expressed concern that the addition of alcohol will increase the potential for confrontations.
Mailhot also cited a city ordinance stating that for new liquor licenses to be granted, the licensed premises must have adequate parking spaces, defined as one parking space for each four patrons. She said Rosa's Kitchen's limited parking does not meet this requirement.
Chris Caramela was also one of several nearby residents who urged the board to turn down the license, saying it would work against the many efforts that homeowners have made to turn the neighborhood around. He said that any extra revenue the license would bring in to the city would be offset by an increased need for police and fire personnel.
City Councilors Jean Philippe Barros and Albert Vitali appeared to support the granting of the license, telling those opposed that, given the small size of the restaurant and its family-oriented clientele, they do not fear any such problems.
However, Barros, who represents the district, also urged both sides to meet with each other in the two-week interim in the spirit of trying to find a compromise.
The second applicant, La Arepa, had a much smoother public hearing on the same issue. Owner Jorge Garcia told the board that he, too, would like to be able to offer a glass of wine or beer to the customers of his three-year-old Venezuelan restaurant. He noted that his location, in a commercial plaza, should not pose a problem for any neighbors.
One other Samuel Avenue resident spoke on Garcia's behalf, noting that La Arepa seems to be well-run and draws a quiet and "well-dressed" clientele.
City Council President Henry Kinch said that Councilor James Chadwick, who was absent that night but represents La Arepa's district, had earlier indicated that he was in favor of the license being granted.
The license request appeared poised for passage until Barros objected at the last minute, expressing concern that La Arepa also does not meet the parking requirements as outlined in the city's ordinance.
Barros stated that it was not right for the board to make parking an issue in one case and not for another. The board agreed and continued this public hearing for two weeks as well.