Brandon Twp – Brandon Township denied John Hagar, owner of Bullfrog’s Restaurant, recent request for another license in his name.
The liquor license Hagar was asking for currently belongs to David Watts, Inc, Brandon’s Landing.
On May 19, the township board motioned to deny the request for a license transfer, because neither Hagar nor David Watts appeared to support the resolution submitted by the Liquor Control Commission.
Township Supervisor Ron Lapp motioned for the denial of the license transfer. Township Treasurer Linda Owen voted not to deny.
‘I’m livid over his conduct,? said Lapp. ‘I am opposed to him owning another bar due to his track record in the past.?
‘Even tonight Bullfrog’s is clearly violating the judgment over the car shows and having speakers outside,? Lapp said.
‘Mr. Hagar must come to explain to us why it is different this year than last.?
Lapp is livid because in June 2001 Hagar requested a use permit for a portion of Bullfrog’s parking lot to display antique automobiles once per week during the summer months.
In July 2001 the zoning board permitted Bullfrog’s to hold ‘Cruise Night? under the condition there would be no parking across the M-15 highway. That the parking lot may not exceed the number of parking spaces in the restaurant site plan. There were to be no more than three vehicles displayed on the berm separating the parking lot, and Hagar had to maintain the berm and promptly repair damages. Parking was to overflow to the GOB lot for a maximum of 10 cars owned by restaurant employees only. There were to be no outside disc jockeys, no outside speakers, and no outside music. Finally, the event would last no later than 9 p.m.
All conditions to which Hagar agreed to in a court motion in July 2001.
An earlier request to play music on the outside deck was denied by the zoning commission.
‘Bullfrog’s is great for the community but they are not in compliance with zoning rules,? Lapp said.
‘There are to be no outside speakers period.?
‘The people on that lake do not need or want it,? he said.
Shortly after the permit, Hagar took down the berm and continued to play music outside resulting in a court judgment to which Hagar agreed.The court confirmed that Bullfrog’s must adhere to the zoning commission rules for ‘Cruise Night.?
In May of 2002 the township took Hagar back to court to further specify the zoning rules.
‘The judgment conditions were upheld,? said Lapp.
‘The rules were established by the ZBA, in order to have the car show, and Hagar has continually violated the rules.?
‘He absolutely violated a judgement he agreed to, last Monday night (by playing music outside) at the car show,? Lapp continued.
‘My position is that we have spent a significant amount of the taxpayers money in litigation over noncompliance issues in regards to Bullfrog’s. Why would we give him another bar? So we can incur more tax payer expense?? said Lapp.
The township denial of the liquor transfer from Brandon’s Landing owner David Watts to John Hagar will be sent to the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission for resolution.
(John Hagar could not be reached for comment at press time.)