STONE HARBOR – Council considered expanding its liquor license zone southerly down Third Avenue at its meeting July 7 but tabled the discussion with the mantra “If it isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it,” as Councilman Barry Mastrangelo put it.

The borough continues to await construction of Shelter Haven Resort as a catalyst for the revitalization of its downtown business district.

“Many in town are waiting for the first shovel of dirt turned at the 96th Street and Third Avenue property,” Councilman Randall Bauer said.

Dr. John Sprandio, who has owned the lot for ten years, said construction would begin this fall. The borough currently leases the lot temporarily for the summer for a public park.

Administration and Finance Committee reviewed existing liquor license zone and the recently zoned Waterfront Business District with consideration to increase the liquor license zone to encourage development.

Councilman Karl Giulian, chair of the committee, said he felt it was a viable change for the existing liquor license zone in the interest of future business ventures. He said the committee was not unanimous.

Quahog’s Seafood Shack on Third Avenue, located outside of current liquor license zone, is interested in gaining a license, Giulian said.

Councilwoman Joanne Vaul said she would like to consider the change, but not with a particular request in mind.

“I don’t want names or faces attached to the change. I’d rather look at it as a progressive change for the borough, not for an individual,” she said.

Council would need to consider state law for proximity of liquor licenses to a church with St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church nearby.

Mastrangelo said the current liquor license zone has been in place for three decades. He said the committee discussed it as a logical consideration following the creation of the Waterfront Business District, where potential business might want to capitalize on the view of the Shelter Haven Basin.

“It’s a small town issue because there’s only four licenses, and there will only ever be four licenses, so it’s not going to come up frequently,” Councilman Tom Cope said.

Mayor Suzanne Walters said she was concerned Third Avenue residents would complain if a nightclub were to evolve there. She said she hoped the high property value would attract upscale businesses.

Giulian said he expects some Third Avenue residents may eventually sell their properties as commercial value increases therefore eliminating the need for a buffer zone.

Mastrangelo said borough liquor licenses cost about $500,000 and therefore “businesses will want to use licenses to the hilt until 2 a.m.”

“Nothing ruins a party like a police officer,” Councilman H. Brian Levinson said suggesting police and borough resources be used to keep noise and rowdiness in check.

“Over the next 18 months to a year we may see a natural change in the business district,” Mastrangelo said referring to anticipate changes as the Shelter Haven Resort is built.

“If in fact the Shelter Haven Resort is built, it will drive the surrounding blocks. Let’s see the impact. There is a lot of potential, but this (liquor zone change) may be premature until we find if that anchor will in fact affect the community as expected,” Bauer said.

Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com.