Packed Agenda: What Else Happened At Last Tuesday’s Council Meeting

Walmart wasn’t the only item on the agenda at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The meeting had a few other interesting topics that came up for debate after the Walmart vote.

• For starters, the City Council unanimously denied a liquor license to a Cudahy man interested in opening a bar at the former Frozen Rope — and to not entertain any license applications for the tavern at 1815 10th Ave. until the end of the 2011-12 license year on June 30, 2012. You will recall this is the same bar location that was the site of two shootings earlier this year — incidents that led to the revocation of the liquor license from the previous bar owner. I was strongly supportive of that punishment, but torn on this issue. This building will mostly likely be a bar again some day, and I believe our responsibility to neighbors is to find the right operator, not necessarily give a blanket “no” to anyone interested in opening there. And the prospective operator in question seemed like a good fit, with his plan for a bar catering to an older crowd. Aldermen, however, were concerned that not enough time had elapsed since the license revocation, and the previous troublemakers could return to the new establishment. Ald. Frank Van Dusen III — a spokesman of sorts for neighbors in their fight against The Frozen Rope, before he was an alderman — agreed, saying neighbors “need a break.” Hearing that was enough for me to change my mind. He’s right.
• The council unanimously denied a request from JD Shooting Sports for a variance to city code to allow for a retail storefront at 1436 Michigan Ave., which is currently zoned residential. Business owner Jason Dziedzic was seeking permission to sell guns out of his home, going beyond an appointment-only business and into one with regular hours and other (albeit minimal) trappings of a storefront. It is part of an interesting debate about the definition of “home occupation” — what type of businesses the city should allow people to run out of their residences. I voted no not necessarily because it was a gun shop. I would have similar concerns with any retail business owner seeking to operate out of a home. Retail businesses should operate out of commercial zones.
• The council also voted unanimously to impose a moratorium on new pawnbrokers and dealers of second-hand items like gold and jewelry. The goal: Give the Plan Commission and council some time to review zoning regulations regarding these businesses. Obviously, there are concerns about a proliferation of these types of establishments — be it “cash for gold” or otherwise — and I think it’s good to be proactive in considering restrictions on them now vs. later. How tight those restrictions should be is up for debate. Police are concerned about criminals stealing items and reselling them to these businesses. Greenfield, however, drew strong criticism for how it approached this problem, and its ordinance was ultimately rescinded. I hope for a more balanced approach here.