NEW LIQUOR ORDINANCE GETS FIRST NOD

Cape Girardeau property owners living within 200 feet of a proposed liquor retailer or bar now can voice their concerns about whether or not the city council grants a liquor license.

And their concerns must be taken into consideration when members of the Cape Girardeau City Council vote on the matter, according to a proposed ordinance.

If a property owner near a proposed bar objects to the city granting the business a liquor license, a proposed change in city ordinance would require a two-thirds majority vote of the council for the license approval.

The council now approves liquor licenses by a simple majority vote. Under the proposed change, the council must have a two-thirds majority before any new liquor licenses could be granted to a business that would operate within 200 feet of a residence.

But the two-thirds majority vote is necessary only if the property owner submits a written objection to the council, said Mayor Al Spradling III.

The ordinance received first-reading approval at Tuesday's council meeting. It was discussed two weeks ago at Councilman Frank Stoffregen's suggestion.

Stoffregen had said the ordinance "gives our citizens a little more say into what we do."

The matter has been a subject of discussion for months because several residents living near proposed liquor retailers and bars have objected to the council granting licenses without considering what residents want or how the neighborhood would be affected by the change.

Spradling said the ordinance would apply only if residential property owners submit an objection to the city, not if tenants living near the establishment object.

And the ordinance won't affect existing businesses, he added. All existing liquor license holders will be grandfathered into any changes.

Currently, the city considers whether or not a bar would operate within 200 feet of a church or school. The proximity of residential property is not weighed when the council votes on liquor license approval.

When measuring the distance, city inspectors measure from lot to lot. Under the proposed change, the measurement would be taken from building to building.

The ordinance must have second and third-reading approval, which will come at the next council meeting. The ordinance takes effect 10 days after being approved by the council.