By Andrew Firestone

The Somerville BOA committee on legislative matters has approved a new resolution in a push for economic development, and is currently developing a strategic plan to introduce more Beer and Wine licenses to the city.

The debate was struck when the Chamber of Commerce visited the committee meeting and asked the aldermen to raise the limit from the 16 licenses that are currently available. There are also 10 more designated for the future Assembly Square district.

“If we were to say we had X number of people who travel into Union Square or Davis Square on any given weekend, and there are vendors there that are losing business because they don’t have it, would that be an argument for applying for more?” said Alderman Bruce Desmond.

“Now maybe what we can do, if the administration is onboard, working with the Chamber of Commerce, you might come up with some factual details about the goal the City has as part of our drive for economic development,” said Alderman White.

“Throughout our squares, it’s to make Somerville a dining destination. The adverse effect of the limited numbers we have given the number of restaurants and the demand that’s coming in, and put together a package that will accompany a formal petition to give arguments as to why Somerville should be treated a little bit differently. That would probably be the way to do it,” he resolved.

Beer and Wine licenses differ from liquor licenses in that other forms of alcohol are prohibited. They are typically seen in restaurants. The process for applying for them is overseen by the Board of Licensing, and is equal opportunity for all bids.

Alderman John Connelly said that it would be good to package the proposed study as closely oriented towards strategic placement as possible. He said the study should be oriented towards “emerging enterprises that have been seeking the opportunity to come to Somerville because of the interest that we have, the Green Line, so long as it’s part of a strategy or a plan.” He added it should be consistent with the new zoning plans the alderman are working on.

Alderman Tom Taylor of Ward 3 said that White’s statement should be made a resolution.

Stephen Mackey of the Chamber of Commerce explained the importance of adding the licenses, saying a changing culture necessitated new strategies for enticing growth. “For a restaurant to be taken seriously by a reviewer, they have to be able to offer a glass of beer or a glass of wine,” he said.

“If we want to encourage small boutique enterprises and help these new businesses, it should be the City’s own determination as to how many to issue. It should be a local issue.”