LEWISTON – A ban on new liquor licenses around a downtown senior housing building was extended until September, but with one exception.

Councilors exempted restaurants on Middle Street from a moratorium on liquor licenses in the area. That will allow Heather Morin and Randy Letourneau to open Guthries, a coffee house and restaurant, on Middle Street.

But councilors extended the moratorium, due to expire this week, for another 90 days for the rest.

“At least the Oak Park residents can count on some quiet nights this summer,” said City Councilor Lillian O’Brien.

Police responded to multiple complaints about two bars in the area last some summer. Elderly neighbors in the Oak Park Apartments have complained of late-night noise, rowdiness and crimes from the bar’s patrons.

Councilors responded by not renewing the liquor license for The Blue Elephant at its Park Street location. That bar has since moved to Lisbon Street. They gave Club Adrenaline until this month to solve its problems.

Councilors created the moratorium in March to keep any new nightclubs from coming in until the city can find a way to balance night life with Oak Park residents.

Councilor Mark Paradis said he was frustrated the city had not come up with a permanent solution.

“I don’t understand why we have not done more,” he said. “We need to move beyond this.”

City Administrator Jim Bennett said councilors need to discuss the matter with the Lewiston Planning Board. The board considered new zoning regulations, possibly banning bars in the area, in January. They told councilors that using zoning was a bad idea, and suggested finding another way.

But Bennett said state liquor rules tie the city’s hands. Councilors cannot simply ban liquor licenses from an area unless there is a church or school nearby.

“I think the planning board really overestimated the council’s authority in this matter,” Bennett. He suggested meeting with the planning board this summer and urging it to consider a zoning change.

“Maybe we can get them to understand that land use regulations may be the only way to regulate this,” Bennett said.