As used in this subchapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Adult" means a person 18 years of age or older.

(2) "Agency liquor store" means a liquor store operated by an agent.

(3) "Agent" means a person or entity authorized under an agency franchise agreement with the department to operate an agency liquor store.

(4) "Community boundary" means:

(a) in the case of an incorporated city or town, the city or town limits; and

(b) in other communities, the area identified by the United States Census Bureau as a community for census purposes.

(5) "Minimum qualified petitioners" means the number of adults who reside in the community, which equals 5 percent of the community population as determined in the most recently available census estimate for the community or 20 adults who reside in the community if 5 percent of the community population is less than 20.

(6) "New agency liquor store" means an agency liquor store that begins operation in a community that has not had an agency liquor store in operation for one or more years or is eligible for an additional agency liquor store.

(7) "Public hearing" is a public meeting to solicit public comments and is not an administrative adjudication between opposing parties.