Administrative Law Judge Margaret LaMarche has reversed the Iowa City City Council’s decision to deny liquor-license renewals to downtown bars Et Cetera and Field House.
In her ruling released today, LaMarche said new regulations, which require Iowa City police to recommend license denials if bars have more than one underage drinking ticket per police visit, are flawed and not consistent with state laws. Based on her findings from a seven-hour hearing in October, LaMarche said that owners of both bars do have “good moral character,” which is that state’s standard for issuing liquor licenses.
The bars were the first to be denied by the City Council after the new regulations. Both Et Cetera, 118 S. Dubuque St., and Field House, 111 E. College St., had PAULA ratios higher than 1.0. Councilors have also denied a renewed liquor-license to The Summit, 10 S. Clinton.
Check Wednesday’s Daily Iowan for full coverage of LaMarche’s ruling.
Alcoholic Beverages Division decision on Field House and Et Cetera
