Ferndale freezes new liquor licenses

FERNDALE, Mich. – Drive or walk around near 9 Mile and Woodward, and you will see a lot of bars and restaurants. 

“The square footage of retail space in Ferndale, 50 percent of that is restaurants and bars,” said Dean Bach, board chair of the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority.

Bach said the DDA would like Ferndale to go in a different direction.

“We’re considered an entertainment district, we like that, we just feel we can add more retail, residential and office space,” Bach said.

Via a resolution, the DDA recently asked the city council to stop giving out liquor licenses, which they agreed to. 

Next, the DDA wants the council to amend the city’s parking ordinance so that all new bars and restaurants would have to construct off-site parking relative to the size of the business, or pay into a general parking fund.

As of right now, all businesses in the city’s central business district are exempt.

If the ordinance is changed, it could mean more spaces to park around town. It also could mean a more diverse retail environment in Ferndale.

“I don’t see how bars are a bad idea, but there could be more retail to bring more people to the area,” Chance Harness, a frequent Ferndale vistor, said.

The city planning commission will take a look at the parking ordinance next week. If passed, it will go to the Ferndale City Council for a vote.


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Jamie anchors sports coverage on Local 4 News Saturdays at 6 & 11 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m., in addition to hosting Sports Final Edition.