Changes are on the horizon for DeKalb’s liquor licenses.

The DeKalb City Council held a special meeting Monday night to discuss changes recommended by the liquor commission for Chapter 38 of the DeKalb Municipal Code.

“This is a result of two to 2 1/2 years,” said Mayor Frank Van Buer. “I’ve been waiting for this for 19 months.”

The council was given an overview of the changes to the code by DeKalb City Attorney Norma Guess.

Increased fees for new licenses, including the possible addition of a campus license, were discussed.

In turn, a class AC license (which would be for a bar in the campus area), a class EC license (a restaurant within campus boundaries) and a PC license (a package liquor establishment within the campus boundaries) would be created.

With the creation of the new campus licenses, the staff recommended raising fees up to $60,000 for one to apply for a class A License within the campus boundaries, $11,000 for an EC license and $25,000 for a PC license.

“The reason for the rather large amount of the initial fee is to weed out those who cannot afford to run a good business,” Guess said.

Donna Gorski, 4th Ward Alderwoman, agrees with the increase.

“I would support higher fees in an area that requires more services,” Gorski said.

Matt Lundeen of Lundeen’s Discount Liquors, 1030 Arcadia Drive, noted that change is constant.

“If we were to propose a college zone 20 years ago, it would have been downtown,” Lundeen said. “Now, it’s Annie Glidden [Road].”

The new Chapter 38 would also include the creation of a catering license, server certification and adopting the International Fire Code (which would include occupancy issues).

The council will address the recommendations made by the liquor commission during the second City Council meeting in June.