AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE TO GRANT ADDITIONAL LICENSES FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO BE DRUNK ON THE PREMISES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding section 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the licensing authority of the town of Southbridge may grant 7 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises pursuant to section 12 of said chapter 138 to establishments located within the 3 development zones described in subsection (b), as those areas are defined by the town’s zoning map, existing as of June 2021, upon approval of and under conditions set by the licensing authority of the town of Southbridge. A license granted under this act shall be clearly marked on its face “Globe Village Flex Overlay District,” “Central Core” or “American Optical Flex Overlay District” and shall be subject to all of said chapter 138 except said section 17.
(b) The licensing authority shall restrict the 7 licenses authorized in this act to 3 zoned areas described as follows:
(i) two licenses shall be issued to establishments located along the state highway route 131 corridor, comprised of the area including parcels along: (A) state highway route 131 from Old Fiske Hill road to West street; (B) Pleasant street from state highway route 131 to River Street; and (C) River street from Mill street to River avenue, as those areas are designated as Globe Village Flex Overlay District on the map; provided, however, that for purposes of this clause, “map” shall mean the map containing the parcel specific corridor areas designated as Globe Village Flex Overlay District, dated June 2021, a copy of which is on file in the office of the Southbridge town clerk;
(ii) four licenses shall be issued to establishments located along the state highway route 131 corridor, comprised of the area including parcels along: (A) state highway route 131 from South street to East Main street; (B) Pine street from state highway route 131 to Hamilton street; (C) Elm street from state highway route 131 until Park street; and (D) Central street from state highway route 131 to Hook street, as those areas are designated as Central Core on the map; provided, however, that for purposes of this clause, “map” shall mean the map containing the specific corridor areas designated as Central Core, dated June 2021, a copy of which is on file in the office of the Southbridge town clerk; and
(iii) one license shall be issued to an establishment located along the state highway route 169 corridor, comprised of the area including parcels along: (A) state highway route 169 from Optical drive to North Woodstock road; (B) Optical drive from state highway route 169 to Case street; and (C) Cabot street, as those areas are designated as American Optical Flex Overlay District on the map; provided, however, that for purposes of this clause, “map” shall mean the map containing the specific corridor areas designated as American Optical Flex Overlay District, dated June 2021, a copy of which is on file in the office of the Southbridge town clerk.
(c) The licensing authority shall not approve the transfer of a license granted pursuant under this act to a location outside of the initial zoned areas as defined in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of subsection (b), but it may grant a license to a new applicant within the initial zoned areas as defined in said clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of said subsection (b) if the applicant files with the licensing authority a letter from the department of revenue and a letter from the department of unemployment assistance indicating that the license is in good standing with those departments and that all applicable taxes, fees and contributions have been paid.
(d) If a licensee terminates or fails to renew a license granted under this act or any such license granted under this act is cancelled, revoked or no longer in use, the license shall be returned physically, with all of the legal rights, privileges and restrictions pertaining thereto, to the licensing authority and the licensing authority may then grant the license to a new applicant under the same conditions as specified in this act.
(e) All licenses granted under this act shall be issued not later than December 31, 2025. But a license originally granted within that time period may be granted to a new applicant under subsection (c) or (d) thereafter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved, September 15, 2022.