A new full-service restaurant and craft cocktail lounge are being considered for the proposed district.
The proposed “Bellbrook West” community entertainment district is 23 acres located along West Franklin Street between Mill Pond Drive and Wilmington Pike and contains several active small businesses and a seven-acre undeveloped area, according to city documents.
Bellbrook is at the limit for certain types of liquor licenses, Town Manager Rob Schommer said, and so any new business, like the restaurant and cocktail lounge mentioned above, could hit roadblocks if they wanted to serve alcoholic beverages without certain restrictions.
“This opens everything up and answers our community’s call to revitalize our downtown and bring places where our community can hang out, enjoy, gather, etc.,” Schommer said.
The city council introduced the legislation in April, and a mandatory public hearing on the proposed districts will be at 7 p.m. during the May 13 council meeting.
The city has been working hard to advance plans to redevelop downtown Bellbrook, and establishing these districts is consistent with what the community has asked for, said Bellbrook Mayor Mike Schweller, and makes Bellbrook a more attractive place to open a business .
“We currently have significant interest in projects coming to Bellbrook, and one obstacle is limiting the licensing ability to operate through Ohio’s quota system for establishments serving beer, wine and liquor,” Schweller said.
“This project is yet another example of how the city continues to work to meet the community’s service needs. We are excited to have our Downtown Revitalization efforts and plans in action, showing that we are committed to delivering on the promises we make to the community,” he added.
The city has already received some positive feedback on the proposal from people “eager for additional opportunities to enjoy downtown,” Schommer said.
Ohio law assigns an additional number of liquor licenses to areas that are prepared for significant economic investment, allowing one additional license for every five acres in the established district, up to a maximum of 15.
