OCR Text |
Show No More Clubs on Main Street? According to a State statute passed in March 1975, future private clubs and restaurants with mini bottle licenses are prohibited at almost every location on Main Street. The legislation states that no state package agency shall be located within a 600 foot radius of any public or private school, church, library, public playground play-ground or park. The term "package agency" refers to a private club, restaurant with mini bottle license or regular state liquor store. Because our founding fathers naturally located, the elementry school, public library and various churches near the center of town, at a radius of two football fields drawn from any of their convenient conve-nient locations encompass huge portions of Main Street. The law does have a grandfather grand-father clause which allows establishments esta-blishments serving as package agencies prior to the enactment of the legislation to continue to operate otherwise the area would be practically dry. The problem came to light this week after Greg Ashe was denied a mini bottle license for his Sirloin Saloon restaurant located in the Prospector Hotel. He was told that not only were there no mini bottle licenses available because the State only allows 1 per every 6,000 persons; but due to the proximity of St. Mary's Catholic Church it out of the question. Ashe was given permission to open a private club on the premises by the City Council during their last session which also appears to be out of the question. Right now the prospects of another private club, liquor store, or restaurant with a mini bottle license at most Main Street locations seems equally bleak. However, if it is any consolation, the State recently completed a new 5,800 square foot liquor store at 259 So. 3rd East in Salt Lake which proved to be too close to a church for compatible co-exis-tance (400 feet). The State is currently trying to induce other agencies to lease the would be booze store, without a great deal of luck apparently (A situation which could provide the needed impetus to change the law). Wayne Russell, head of the "non partisam" Commission told the Record that he was "very well aware of the problem in Park City" and has in fact asked the Attorney Generals office for a legal opinion with regard to the 600 foot limitation. He said he expected the decision on Thursday Thurs-day (comfortably after Tuesday's election which will produce a new Governor and Attorney General) but had no idea if the ruling will uphold the present statute or not. "It does tend to create an extenuating situation' said the Commissioner, "but the legislature legisla-ture makes the laws and we have to obey them". |