By Megan Crepeau and Danny YadronThe Daily Northwestern
Evanston’s new class of liquor licenses will give students another option for acquiring beer and wine, but only two ounces at a time.
At their meeting Monday night, the Evanston City Council voted unanimously to add Class Z licenses, which allow wine and beer tasting only at cooking or wine schools.
Ald. Ann Rainey (8th) had reservations about whether the license would allow for the sale of alcohol, and if classes would require registration, which could prevent the uncontrolled distribution of alcohol.
The license, which will cost $500, limits tastings to between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. seven days a week. No person may be served more than two fluid ounces of alcohol during the tasting, though multiple samples may be served.
Licensees will not be able to sell liquor, and all tasters must be officially enrolled in a class.
“I love the concept,” Rainey said.
City officials said they’ve only been contacted by one resident interested in the license, but he has not obtained space or completed the application process.
The City Council also unanimously approved an ordinance proposed by Ald. Elizabeth Tisdahl (7th) that will temporarily ban new construction on Green Bay Road.
Though city staff did not recommend Tisdahl’s ordinance, the item sailed through both the Planning and Development Committee and regular council meetings.
Tisdahl cited citizen concerns about undue pressure for development and fears of a “Berlin Wall” of tall buildings lining the area.
City staff had opposed the limits because no developments are currently proposed for the area, and any new construction that does not meet current standards would still have to come before the council.
The moratorium is intended to coincide with the current building ban on Central Street that expires July 8.
The Green Bay ordinance is now in effect until July 9.
Monday night was also the first Council meeting for Richard Eddington, the city’s new police chief, who was sworn in Monday morning.
Rainey brought up news of a stabbing at the corner of Custer Avenue and Brummel Street in south Evanston Monday night.
“The police cannot tolerate (violence). The people cannot tolerate it,” Rainey said. “My fear is we’re going to lose the good guys because of the bad guys.”
Eddington said he could not comment on the incident because the ages of those involved were unverified.
The aldermen publicly welcomed Eddington to his first meeting, although Ald. Anjana Hansen (9th) had some words of warning.
“As the weather gets warmer, the issues are going to be hotter,” she said.
Reach Megan Crepeau at [email protected] and Danny Yadron at [email protected].
