Clarendon Aldermen again took no action on alcohol zoning variance request Tuesday, Sept. 9, making clear that there was little support on the city board for Grumpy’s Pizza to sell alcohol near the Agapé Christian Church.
The restaurant, which hopes to open next month, had made its formal request at the board’s August 26 meeting, but Aldermen took no action until more information could be obtained.
Patricia Krichhoff, representing Grumpy’s Pizza, addressed the board before the motion was made and discussed the board’s role in considering requests and standards that have been considered by other cities around the state.
Alderman Lockhart urged his fellow board members to consider the request.
“If we set a standard of ‘no variance,’ we will land lock ourselves,” Lockhart said, referring to the limited availability of commercial property in the city. “It’s our job to bring jobs, opportunities, and revenue to the city. This isn’t a club. It’s a place to eat. We’re not going to have intoxicated people on the corner.”
Kirchoff said the variance request had been covered by the Enterprise and posted on ClarendonLive.com, and that a notice had been posted at the restaurant on the southeast corner of US 287 and Faker Street for months with no negative response.
“Twelve hundred people know we’re here tonight,” Kirchoff said, “and no one is here to protest.”
Alderman Larry Jeffers said that did not translate into public support of the request.
“Just because they aren’t here doesn’t mean they support you or oppose you,” Jeffers said.
Alderman Sandy Skelton said several church members had told him they were happy keeping the distance of 300 feet prescribed by the ordinance, and Alderman Beverly Burrow again said church members had also told her they were happy with the zone as it is.
Alderman Lockhart advanced a motion to approve the variance, but the motion died for lack of a second.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.