Commissioners voted down a request to approve the sale of liquor at the new Taco Bell Cantina in downtown Royal Oak.
On Monday, city officials heard from representatives of the chain, the Chief of Police Corrigan O'Donohue and residents of the community.
The restaurant opened without a liquor license in early January at 420 S. Main St. Local police voiced opposition to the request. An initial public hearing was scheduled for March 12, but was postponed by an attorney representing the chain. The hearing was resumed on Monday, April 23, where the city turned down the request from Great Lakes Taco, L.L.C.
When making a public comment, O'Donohue stated that the time to request a license should have been before the restaurant opened. He added that his concerns included the need for increased police activity because the chain "caters to a young crowd." He added that the area already has numerous places in downtown Royal Oak that serve alcohol.
The Royal Oak Taco Bell would have been the first in Michigan to serve alcohol.
