Smith receives liquor permit

A liquor permit was granted to Chad Smith for a site in Pea Ridge after a three-day marathon of meetings by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in Little Rock which ended Thursday.

Smith’s application is for 139 N.

Curtis Ave., the north end of the building housing White Oak Station, where Dr. Rhonda Higgins’ office is.

Mayor Jackie Crabtree went to Little Rock Thursday to speak to the board and express concern that there wasn’t a vacant building and there weren’t enough setbacks to add on to the north end of the building.

“Basically, the ABC Board checks how close the location is to a church or school and the character of the applicant,” Crabtree said, adding that concerns with setbacks are local decisions. He said Smith had contacted the city building official, Tony Townsend, to begin the process locally.

Mayor Jackie Crabtree traveled to Little Rock to protest Chad Smith’s permit application for Chad’s Beverage Shop at 139 N. Curtis, Suite C.

Crabtree said he doubted the proposed location could meet required setbacks and avoid a fire lane. A city alderman also wrote a letter in opposition to the permit based on safety concerns.

Board members told Crabtree city regulations are a separate issue from the board’s decision.

News, Pages 1 on 07/24/2013