Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

ALBANY, GA --
At the Tuesday evening Albany City Commission meeting, two bars found out about the future of their alcohol licenses.

Both Charley B's and Club Xscape will be able to keep their alcohol license after the commission voted three in favor to deny the license, two in favor of renewal and two abstentions.

To deny the license, the city commission needed four votes, of which they were one short.

“I'm very excited about the decision that the city commission came up with because I really wanted to keep my license,” said Tim Shelton, owner of Club Xscape.

Tim Shelton says security has never been an issue at his nightclub.

“All of the police reports that they had were from officers that I had hired that were off duty. There were no incidences where officers were called to my facility from someone on the outside. I always have officers and bouncers at my facility,” said Shelton.

While Shelton didn't have much to say to the board during the meeting, the owner of Charley B's came to plead his case before the decision was made. Frankie Tillman says he's complied with the requests of the board.

“We've hired the Albany Police Department to work the parking lot and we installed security cameras this afternoon actually,” said Frankie Tillman, owner of Charley B’s.

City commissioners say although the businesses have their alcohol licenses renewed, this should serve as a warning.

Also during the board meeting, commissioners voted to extend a moratorium concerning personal care facilities in residential areas by 120 days.

The city will get with planning officials to take a look at downtown neighborhoods to make sure there are sufficient zoning overlays to protect the character of the area.

This is not to stop personal care facilities from coming into the downtown area, but it is to make sure the planning of downtown is vital to preserving neighborhoods.      

Stay connected to MySouthWestGA.com as stories develop and the FOX 31 Newscast at 10 PM. Visit us on Facebook and Twitter to join in on the conversation and connect with FOX 31!