Liquor issue is tabled
Staff reporter
Sometimes doing nothing can have a more negative effect than doing something that may be unpopular or unpleasant.
That was the discussion Tuesday evening when Hillsboro City Council tabled a decision for two weeks regarding liquor by the drink in restaurants.
City administrator Larry Paine informed the council that currently any area that is zoned for a restaurant can obtain a state license to sell liquor by the drink.
Hillsboro Planning Commission had approved a recommendation at its Sept. 27 meeting to change the text in the city's zoning regulations to allow liquor by the drink in the highway commercial district which is located by U.S.-56 in Hillsboro Heights Addition.
Paine said the council could approve the recommendation made by the planning commission or change the area to a different commercial district but it would require all four council members to vote in favor.
"The issue is not about a particular restaurant," Paine said. "It is a policy issue."
Therefore there are no conflicts of interest by any of the council members regarding discussion and decisions related to the issue.
Council president Shelby Dirks, who was presiding over the meeting in the absence of mayor Delores Dalke, said he would be in favor of the area for liquor by the drink in restaurants in the limited commercial district which would include the downtown business district.
The city has four commercial districts — limited commercial, general commercial, highway commercial, and central business district overlay.
Councilman Bob Watson said he would like to see it in the highway commercial, central business district overlay, and along the former U.S.-56/D Street.
"It is a restaurant, not an open bar," Watson said. He continued that it would "be great" if a restaurant was being considered at Hillsboro Heights but wasn't aware of any plans.
Watson made a motion to change the wording of the city's zoning regulation to allow liquor by the drink in all commercial-zoned areas and not require a conditional use permit; councilman Shane Marler seconded. When the vote was tallied, councilman Byron McCarty voted against.
"I want to hear comments of how serving alcohol can be positive," McCarty said.
Paine reminded the council that "at the end of the discussion at the end of the day, there has to be a zone for it or it can go anywhere."
McCarty asked the council to table it and it was approved. He also asked Paine to present information about tax and other benefits for the city.
A complete story of Tuesday's council meeting will be in next week's edition of Hillsboro Star-Journal.
