Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section: if a license is denied, another license application may not be considered from the same applicant or for the same location for 6 months after the denial; and if a subsequent application by the same applicant or for the same location is denied within a 2–year period immediately after the first denial, another application may not be considered from that applicant or for that location until the 2–year period expires. This section does not apply to: an applicant, if the license was denied because it was not necessary to accommodate the public or the location was not suitable for the sale of alcoholic beverages; or the location, if the license was denied because the local licensing board determined that the applicant was not a proper person to be issued the license.