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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.
Scott Elliott is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He writes about education, city and suburban issues, politics, business, workforce and consumer issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > December > 09 > Entry
Guest column: Other issues fed concerns about B&B’s liquor license
This commentary was written by Jeff Peterson, a resident of the Oregon District.
Re Editorial Page Editor Ellen Belcher’s Nov. 21 column, “Oregon’s vitality not tapped out”: The column discussed Jeffrey and Leslie Gonyas’ unsuccessful attempt to obtain a liquor license for a 12-seat “wine bar” at their bed and breakfast, the Inn Port D’Vino, in the Oregon District. These permit issues, as well as other liquor permit issues within the Oregon Historic District, have been discussed ad nauseam.
Belcher’s column was “pro-liquor licensing” in general within the historic district and failed to discuss a number of important issues.
The Gonyas’ application is for a D-3 permit — a “nightclub license” serving liquor until 1 a.m. Having stayed in numerous B&Bs over the years, I have yet to stay in one where a “hard liquor” license was held. At most, the operators might have a wine and beer permit.
There is concern among neighbors about the need for such a permit. A significant number of residents would be supportive of a wine license, since that’s more in line with the needs of a bed and breakfast establishment.
A liquor license will significantly enhance the long-term resale value of the Gonyas’ bed and breakfast; it’s a smart long-term decision for them. But this particular permit would be the same kind of license that Fred and Sylvia’s and the Southern Belle held. Both of those bars were nothing but problems for the neighborhood. Call it what you want, but this license is for a bar.
The proposed permit location also encroaches into our residential neighborhood. The Gonyas’ B&B abuts residences and, if it had a liquor license, would decrease those homes’ value and desirability. Deference should be given to those adjacent residential owners. Do you want to live next to a bar?
If the permit ever changes hands, Oregon residents could end up with a less than desirable permit holder and establishment. As a former police officer, I can attest to the fact that once a permit is in place at an address, a subsequent transfer is significantly easier.
Residents can still object to any transfer, but the counter-argument is that there’s already a bar in place, so what’s the big deal? Unless you have a “bad” applicant, the exchange will sail through.
There was a distinct lack of communication in the early application process between the Gonyas, the Oregon Historic District Society, the Southeast Priority Board Land Use Committee, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Oregon District Business Association. It is time for the business association to get involved with the residential sector and work together on issues.
I personally would support the Gonyas’ bid for a beer and wine permit, providing that some sort of agreement could be reached with adjacent residential owners. The Gonyas are good neighbors and an asset to our neighborhood.
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By Michael
December 10, 2010 5:01 AM | Link to this
“Do you want to live next to a bar?” Either you live in the suburbs, or you live downtown. The benefit of living in an urban area is that you live near, or next to, bars, restaurants, and other businesses. If you don’t like it, move to Beavercreek and drive 20 minutes to a bar. If you want downtown to prosper, you need to let businesses be free to develop. Dayton sucks precisely because it’s full of busybodies who can’t just relax and let others be.
By Retired Sgt
December 10, 2010 7:43 AM | Link to this
I Underestand the Columists concerns BUT, it should not be up to the residents to tell the business owner how to run their business. If the B&B owners think a “Spiritous Liquor License” is what they need, then that is a decision the OWNERS of the business should make. FYI, Under Ohio Liquor Law, you can not have a permit for Beer and wine only. A D1 permit allows On premisis consumption of Beer only. A D2 Permit allows Wine and “Spiritous Liquor only.” A D3 is spiritous liquor only. The B&B would need a D5 permit to allow Beer and Wine sales, but it also includes Spiritous Liquor. (A D6 is sunday sales of intoxicating liquor from 11a-midnight). So, I am not sure where the columnist is getting their information on the permits. There is no permit that allows beer and Wine sales only. It would be the owners decision to serve spiritous liquor, (As their permit would allow), but they are under no obligation to serve it. They could CHOOSE to offer Beer/Wine only with the D5 permit.
By Retired Sgt
December 10, 2010 12:02 PM | Link to this
Correction- There is a D3X permit that allows Wine Only, so, they could have a D1 and D3X permit that would allow Beers sales Only (D1)and Wine Sales Only (D3x), however, I think it is more expensive to have the 2 permits than the one.
By Just remember...
December 10, 2010 2:46 PM | Link to this
Sarge, shouldn’t the owners get the D3 permit before the D1 permit? We all know beer (D1) before liquor (D3) never makes you sicker. However, liquor (D3) before beer (D1) you’re in the clear.
By Ohio Liquor Laws
December 15, 2010 10:23 AM | Link to this
To correct facts by the columnists and others sharing their opinion: D-1 is for beer D-2 is for wine and pre-packaged mixed drinks (like the pre-packaged margaritas one might find at the store) D-3 is for liquor. All of these allow for sales until 1am The permit commonly known as a “nightclub” permit is a D-5, which allows sales of all of these beverages until 2:30pm (this was the type of permit held by the Southern Belle and Fred and Sylvias). Though still listed on the Ohio Codes website, a D-3x no longer exists as a type of license for new applicants.
By Ohio Liquor Laws
December 15, 2010 10:25 AM | Link to this
Correction—-D-5 is till 2:30am