WEST MILFORD — The township council will hold a public hearing Wednesday night, Dec. 17, regarding the local law the requires 2,500 feet between liquor licenses in the township. They could vote to eliminate the requirement.
The topic came to light in May when Elena Dykstra, owner of a local marina, approached the council and asked to have the law changed. She bought the property on Greenwood Lake Turnpike with the intention of opening a restaurant with a bar. The lakefront property backs up to a residential neighborhood, Cottage Cove. Access to the lake would bring more boating traffic in the neighborhood and have patrons walk through the neighborhood to get to the restaurant. The septic at the property is not functioning, residents said. They took issue with the request, saying it would negatively impact their safety and quality of life.
Also against the proposal are owners of businesses nearby who hold liquor licenses.
But the council seems to be leaning toward eliminating the 2,500 feet distance between licenses that is currently required. Last month, a poll of the council showed that only Councilwoman Ada Eric was against the change. Mayor Bettina Bieri, who doesn't vote unless there is a tie, was also against it.
If the council does change the law, it will clear the way for Dykstra to proceed with her plan to open the restaurant, as well as any other business owner throughout the township to do the same. She bought the property at 1934 Greenwood Lake Turnpike knowing the code limited liquor licenses to more than 2,500 feet of another. She asked the council to rescind Section 63-7 of the town code and allow alcohol to be served. This particular property is within 2,500 feet of three other licenses.
The state determines the number of liquor licenses in the town, which currently is 32; 25 are active, two are inactive and five are pocket licenses with no site assigned. The state recommends one license per 3,000 people. It has issued three times that number of licenses for West Milford.
Councilman Mike Hensley said he is in favor of changing the law to make the township more business friendly.
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