The State College Borough Council has decided to consider allowing another liquor license into the downtown area. Currently the borough has 21.

Rotelli, a Pittsburgh-based, family-owned restaurant, will move into a storefront along Calder Way and its owner has requested a liquor license transfer from Philipsburg to the borough so patrons can "have a glass of wine or a martini," said Rotelli co-owner Michael T. Hughes.

Council has the power to tell Hughes what he can and cannot do because of a list of conditions that is currently under review. The list includes details such as how high the alcohol sales of the restaurant can be compared to food sales and what time the restaurant can close. If he does not comply with the conditions, he will not get a liquor license.

As part of downtown development, many people have expressed the need for a more family-oriented place amid the slew of college bars in the downtown area. Others have discussed their fear of adding another bar to a town where half the borough's budget goes toward police services because of drinking-related problems that come with college bars.

But a liquor license transfer approval does not equate another college bar. As part of procedure, the State College police have performed background checks on the restaurant owner and have made inquiries about the other nine Rotelli restaurants, which range from 92 percent to 100 percent food sales. Alcohol sales are virtually nonexistent.

Does council really think Hughes, a father of young children himself, has a hidden agenda of turning a proven family restaurant into another college bar?

Council should exercise caution when dealing with binge-drinking related issues and should pay attention to what kinds of establishments are setting up shop downtown. Restrictions and conditions are positive steps when attempting to preserve the downtown, but this is not the time to set an example.

Yes, other new establishments downtown have liquor licenses, but these licenses belong to long-existing businesses. Current license owners can, by law, open new bars or restaurants and have the existing license cover all new additions, as long as the properties are on the same lot. Still, Hughes is not one of these people. He is an out-of-towner. He does not own any other bars.

Council is afraid Hughes will be tempted to cash in on the midnight to 2 a.m. bar scene and turn Rotelli into another downtown "problem" instead of a step in the right direction for area development.

Council has the power to stop the restaurant from turning into another problem, but it should not overreact because it is afraid. Let the restaurant do business as Hughes intends.