Beer tents approved also need state liquor license

By JOHN KOZIOL

Staff Writer

LACONIA — With little fanfare and no controversy, the Motorcycle Technical Review Committee on Thursday wrapped up its business for 2003 by approving 21 site plan requests, including two beer tents.

By unanimous votes, the MTRC gave permission to the Weirs Beach Drive-In and the Broken Spoke Saloon to operate beer tents.

With Thursday’s action, the MTRC has now approved five beer tents for Bike Week, which takes place from June 7-15. Approved earlier were requests from the Naswa Resort on Weirs Boulevard, the Paradise Beach Club on Lakeside Avenue and the Weirs Beach Lobster Pound on Endicott Street North.

Each of the businesses must also obtain approval from the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission (NHSLC) for the beer tents.

Faced with its longest agenda of the year, MTRC Chair and City Planner Dawn Emerson recommended, and her fellow committee members agreed, to consider renewals of site plan as a group, rather than individually, to speed up the hearing.

Later, MTRC members noted that the ability of the committee to place renewals, but not revisions or new plans, on a consent calendar should be codified in its rules.

Post Bike Week, the MTRC will review its processes and make recommendations to the City Manager on what improvements or changes should be made.

For Bike Week 2003, the MTRC has approved 52 site plan requests, which is five fewer than last year.

On Thursday, the MTRC learned that JT’s Bar-B-Q and Roadhog Saloon on Endicott Street North, had withdrawn its site plan application.

At a previous MTRC meeting this year, representatives from JT’s had indicated a desire to let visitors to its entertainment tent bring their own alcoholic beverages. JT’s application had been continued until Thursday’s meeting.