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MKNA recently formed a new ad-hoc committee to review license applications within Meridian-Kessler. We receive (rather infrequent) requests for liquor licenses, licenses to operate a group home, etc. and it has become apparent that we need to call on the expertise of residents within our neighborhood to evaluate such requests. A separate group of resident-volunteers will review all zoning and land-use issues and this review will provide another review process to determine the neighborhood's position on alcohol and other forms of licensing.

Members of the MKNA License Review Committee are:

• John Bridge, Attorney with Plews, Shadley, Racher and Braun

• Jeanna Chandler, Food & Beverage Manager with Patachou, Inc.

• Novella Nedeff, Associate Clinical Professor, IU School of Law

• Sarah Larkin, President of CANDO! (College Ave. Neighborhood Development Org.) and MKNA Board Member,

• Nora Spitznogle, Operations Manager at Second Helpings

• Mary Owens, Chair of MKNA Land Use Committee and MKNA Board Member

The first meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, Jan. 13 at 6 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. There is a pending beer/wine license request for Just Wingin' It located at 4851 College Ave. in the former KFC location.Click HERE to read the notice that was distributed to neighbors about this license. Chris Lothery, the owner and applicant, will be at this meeting to explain reasons for his request and to answer questions from residents or other business owners from the 49th & College area who attend.

This group will follow the same guidelines as the State's Alcohol Beverage Commission and local authorities. In general, the local Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board is supposed to investigate the following

1. Character of the applicant;
2. Reputation of the applicant;
3. The need for such services at the location;
4. The desire to receive such services at the location;
5. Impact of the services on other businesses (not supposed to consider competitive impact);
6. Impact of such services on the neighborhood or community.

This committee will take a vote as to whether or not it recommends granting the license after all discussion is heard. The committee's recommendation will be brought to the MKNA Board of Directors for a vote at its next scheduled meeting. The MKNA board typically meets the second Thursday of each month.

There are some other items such as not being closer than 200 feet from a church or school. In general, the Excise Officer determines those items in advance of the hearing. The neighborhood's position is heavily weighed and MKNA often gives testimony before the local board. If any members of the MKNA License Review Committee have a personal or professional conflict to hear any particular case, he or she will recuse themselves from any meeting.