Restaurants along highway can serve alcohol
It wasn't easy being a Hillsboro Planning Commission board member Thursday evening.
The members were faced with the seemingly impossible task of determining the appropriate location for restaurants that want to serve liquor with meals. More than 30 people packed into the council room. Some voiced their dismay of any restaurant in Hillsboro being able to serve alcohol.
When all was said and done, the commission determined that the highway commercial zone at Hillsboro Heights was the appropriate zoning area for restaurants to be located if they wanted to serve alcohol.
To reach that decision, information was presented and concerns aired.
Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine explained at the beginning of the meeting that it wasn't a question of IF the planning commission should approve such a business but in WHICH zone that type of business should be located.
He said that since the majority of Marion County residents approved liquor by the drink in the November 2004 election, the city was obligated to determine the appropriate zone for such businesses to be located.
"Hillsboro must have a place where this can occur," Paine said.
Ray Lohrentz said liquor doesn't solve problems.
"I go to Applebee's but won't support a local restaurant if it sells alcohol," Lohrentz said, and the city needs to make a statement that alcohol is not welcome.
Ruth Friesen said restaurants that serve alcohol should be located outside of the city like the liquor store, which is located in the highway commercial zone near U.S.-56.
Other concerns were expressed about alcohol being against the rules of Tabor College and may be a temptation for Tabor students.
Pastor Plato Shepherd of Cottonwood Valley Independent Baptist Church said he was opposed to it in every form but particularly if a restaurant near the location of his church should decide to serve alcohol. He asked if the downtown business district was determined to be the appropriate district, there should be a specific distance limitation from churches.
The question also was asked if Hillsboro residents could have a say through a ballot vote on whether to allow restaurants to serve alcohol. Paine said that would be a question for an attorney to answer.
In other business:
— The commission recommended that a conditional use permit be approved by Hillsboro City Council for Cottonwood Valley Independent Baptist Church.
The church currently meets in a leased building on Main Street, has outgrown the facility, and wants to meet at 108 W. C Street, which is zoned for commercial use. Paine said the city had no concerns and there was no opposition from residents.
The council will review and approve or deny at a future council meeting.
— A revised plat for Hillsboro Business Park was approved in response to developers wanting more land in some of the parcels.
— Another access street may be made available to U.S.-56 via North Washington Street, pending the approval of the city council. Originally the plat allowed a cul-de-sac. The changes will be presented to the council at a future meeting.
— A work session was tentatively planned for Oct. 20 to review a comprehensive plan for the business park.
