Court backs Palmyra Borough in appeal over denied 2024 liquor license transfer

Update Sept. 4 – As first reported by the Lebanon Daily News, the property at 1 E. Main St. has been included in a 2025 Upset Sale list published by Lebanon County. If required past due taxes on the property are not paid off, the property will be sold Sept. 8.

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In a court ruling July 28, Lebanon County Judge Charles T. Jones Jr. denied an appeal by Christopher T. Behney Jr. over Palmyra Borough’s February 2024 denial of a liquor license transfer sought by Behney to open up a “piano bar” at 1 E. Main St., Palmyra.

Jones wrote that Behney raised three issues on appeal – whether the borough’s denial of the transfer request was supported by substantial evidence, whether the denial is in accordance with applicable law, and whether the borough abused its discretion in denying the application. The judge found that the borough’s denial was supported by substantial evidence, that the denial was made in accordance with applicable law, and that the borough did not abuse its discretion by considering “Appellant’s history of failing to pay for taxes and utility services in denying the License transfer.”

Behney had originally filed his notice of appeal in March 2024. An email to Behney’s attorney, attorney Frank Sluzis, about potential further legal action had not received a response as of publication.

Read More: Ninkovich LLC seeks double transfer of license; Palmyra to hold Feb. 13 hearing