Pleasant Ridge

Ridge takes steps that could change its longtime status as 'dry' city

By Jeremy Selweski
C & G Staff Writer

PLEASANT RIDGE — Residents concerned about the idea of a new wine bar in their city may have jumped the gun, as the prospective business owner has withdrawn her liquor license request for the time being.

Still, although Pleasant Ridge has remained a “dry” city since its founding in 1928, officials are taking steps that would allow that to change. At its April 14 meeting, the City Commission voted unanimously to adopt a new liquor control ordinance providing guidelines should the city receive any more requests.

“The purpose of the ordinance,” explained City Manager Sherry Ball, “was to establish criteria that a petitioner must meet if a liquor license is ever issued in the future. But this vote does not mean that a liquor license will be issued.”

The 10-page document outlines 33 provisions that potential establishments must meet before the commission will consider granting them a liquor license. “It’s a very strict, comprehensive policy,” Ball said.

The ordinance also includes the creation of a three-member Pleasant Ridge Liquor Control Committee as an advisory body to assist the City Commission in all liquor license decisions.

Previously, it had been reported that Ridge resident Nancy Crutchfield was working with the Planning Commission toward establishing a new wine bar at a vacant office building at the corner of Cambridge Boulevard and Woodward Avenue. However, Ball indicated that Crutchfield has since withdrawn any requests for a liquor license to explore her business options.

“There’s no proposal right now for a wine bar, but (Crutchfield) may be back,” she said.

Some neighborhood residents, such as 38-year-old Jill Lamphier — who lives on Cambridge, only a few houses down from the potential wine bar location — were worried that the business would bring unwanted traffic and commotion to their quiet street from customers looking for parking spots.

Lamphier said that her three kids, ages 4, 6 and 8, ride their bikes up and down Cambridge and a nearby alley all the time, while she and other neighbors frequently walk their dogs through the area.

“I think a wine bar is a great idea, but I don’t think that location is appropriate,” she said. “I just don’t want the patrons parking on my street, where things could become congested and dangerous. … Our street would become a parking lot, most definitely. It could be a big nightmare.”

But, as Ball pointed out, the chief motivation behind the new ordinance was to tackle concerns about safety, parking and overall impact on the welfare of the community “We wanted to give all of our residents assurance that these things would be addressed before any liquor license is issued.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Jeremy Selweski at jSelweski@candgnews.com or at (586)218-5004.