License Commission — May 28, 2026
The meeting was primarily composed of standard seasonal permit approvals and administrative updates, with only one item requiring a safety-driven delay.
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Safety concerns regarding building access slowed down business approvals at the May 28 License Commission meeting.
The focus turned to the application for Europa, a proposed restaurant located on the third floor of 72 Merrimack Street. During the discussion, Commissioner Donahue raised serious questions about the building's layout, specifically whether narrow staircases would prevent police officers and emergency responders from accessing the third floor quickly and effectively during a crisis.
Rather than rushing the approval, the Commission has deferred the matter. The Lowell Police Department has been tasked with conducting a formal walkthrough of the premises to evaluate safety and access. A report must be submitted to the Secretary before the next public hearing.
This matter is scheduled for a public hearing on June 11, 2026. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that commercial growth in downtown Lowell does not come at the expense of public safety and emergency response capabilities.
Public impact
Potential impact on emergency response capabilities and building safety compliance.
The application was not approved at this meeting; instead, it was scheduled for a public hearing on June 11th.
The Police Department must conduct a walkthrough of the third floor and submit a report to the Secretary before the next meeting.
Topics discussed
The Commission reviewed and approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on May 7th, 2026.
The minutes were approved via a motion by Commissioner Krieger and a second by Commissioner Underwood.
Corey Belanger applied for a one-day license to sell malt beverages and wines for a bicentennial celebration festival.
The application was approved by a motion from Commissioner Tang and a second from Commissioner Underwood.
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Ben Opara applied for an amplified outdoor entertainment permit for the 25th annual African Festival.
The application was approved by Commissioner Krieger and seconded by Commissioner Merz.
Robert Hunt applied for multiple permits for a summer concert series, movie nights, and an autumn market at Tyler Park.
The permits were approved.
Gregory Curtis applied for one-day alcohol licenses and amplified music permits for the festival at the Hellenic American Academy.
The application was approved.
Hina Bhat applied for an amplified outdoor entertainment permit for a Father's Day kite flying fundraiser.
The application was approved.
Pastor Charlie Luna and Hector Luna applied for amplified music permits for youth-led church services.
The application was approved.
Michael Hill applied for a common fiddler license for a new addiction recovery healthcare facility.
The application was approved.
Masala Magic LLC applied to change their doing business as (DBA) name to Adupti Bhavan.
The name change was approved.
A public hearing was held regarding a request to alter a restaurant license to include outdoor seating.
The request for outdoor seating was approved following a public hearing with no opposition.
The Commission scheduled public hearings for two upcoming applications.
Both matters were scheduled for public hearings at the June 11th, 2026, meeting.
Police Department to conduct a walkthrough of 72 Merrimack Street (third floor) and submit a report to the Secretary by next week.
James McDonald applied for seasonal special events permits for amplified outdoor music and one-day alcohol licenses for the 36th season.
The seasonal permits and alcohol licenses were approved.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Europa Restaurant License Application (72 Merrimack Street)
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
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grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-20.
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