Township of Haverford, PA Chapter 108 Liquor License Transfer

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Haverford 3-14-2011 by Ord. No. 2627. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 108-1 Application procedure.

An applicant seeking to file an application for the intermunicipal transfer of a liquor license pursuant to this article shall submit the following:

A. A written request to the Township Manager for said transfer, which shall include the following minimum information:

(1) The name and location of the Haverford Township business for which the transferred liquor license is intended.

(2) The name, home and business addresses, and home and business telephone numbers of any and all individuals having an interest in the business seeking the transferred license.

(3) The name and location of any other liquor licenses held by any of the named individuals with an interest in the business seeking the transferred license.

(4) The number of employees and the number and location of off-street parking spaces.

(5) Name and address of existing liquor licenses within 200 feet.

(6) A description of the proposed operation, including hours and days of operation and any proposed entertainment at the facility for which the transferred liquor license is sought.

(7) A copy of the completed application required by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, including the applicant's criminal history and any liquor code violations, shall be attached to the applicant's written request.

(8) A copy of a plot plan of the property for which the transferred liquor license is intended, drawn to an accurate scale, including the property dimensions, building size and setbacks from property lines, shall be attached to the applicant's written request.

(9) A complete description of the land uses within 500 feet of the subject site shall be attached to the applicant's written request.

(10) A floor plan including all seating, the location of kitchens, restrooms and means of ingress and egress, shall be attached to the applicant's written request.

B. An applicant for the intermunicipal transfer of a liquor license is hereby required to pay a fee to defray the costs of a public hearing thereon. Said fee shall be established by resolution of the Board of Commissioners and may be amended and updated from time to time.

§ 108-2 Public hearing.

A. Upon receipt of the required information and required fee, the Board will fix a date, time, and location for a public hearing to consider the application. The Township will provide notice of the hearing as follows:

(1) Published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township. Such notice shall state the time and place of any hearing or meeting and the particular nature of the matter to be considered. The first publication shall not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days prior to the date of the hearing or meeting.

(2) By mailing a notice thereof to the applicant, owner of the subject property for which the intermunicipal transfer of a liquor license is sought, and to any other person who has made timely request to receive same.

(3) Forwarding a copy of the notice to the Board of Commissioners and Township Solicitor.

(4) By posting notice of said hearing in a conspicuous location on the property at least one week prior to the hearing.

(5) By mailing notice to the owner of each property on the same street within 500 feet of the property in question.

(6) By mailing notice to the owner of each property within 500 feet of the property in question.

B. In considering whether the applicant's request for the transfer of a liquor license into the Township would affect the welfare, health, peace and morals of the Township or residents, the Board may consider any or all of the following:

(1) Information contained within the application as required hereinabove.

(2) Number and nature of police incident reports over the past 12 months at the location where the license will be located.

(3) Nature of any other business with a liquor license in which the applicant has ownership or a financial interest.

(4) Reports and recommendations from the Township Manager, Solicitor and staff.

(5) The total number of liquor licenses in the Township.

(6) The closest location of any existing liquor license.

(7) Proximity to any church, hospital, school, charitable organization, if known, public playground or other institution.

(8) Concerns expressed by area residents, businesses and civic groups, or other interested or affected party regarding the impact upon the welfare, peace and morals of the Township or residents.

§ 108-3 Approval or disapproval of application.

Within 45 days of the Township's receipt of a completed application requesting an intermunicipal transfer of a liquor license, the Board of Commissioners shall render a decision by resolution to approve or disapprove the applicant's request. The Township Solicitor will forward the resolution together with a written report setting forth the basis to approve or disapprove the application. In approving an application, the Board reserves the right to impose conditions, which the applicant shall accept and agree to by signing an affidavit in a form acceptable to the Township. Any change or deviation in the applicant's plan inconsistent with the approval granted shall require a new application and further review and approval by the Board of Commissioners consistent with the terms of this article.