2008 Woodie Awards
Party Store's expansion plans denied at city commission meeting
Commission says it violates zoning rules
By: Mike Ellis
Issue date: 8/1/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Liquor drinkers looking for a close place to walk to on Main Street south of High Street are out of luck until at least November.
City Commissioners on Wednesday voted to tell the Liquor Control Commission that T.O. Dbl D's Party Store, 104 E. May St. is in violation of zoning rules.
"Where he's located has not been zoned appropriately," Mayor Jon Joslin said.
Todd Gurzick, the store's owner, said he'll continue his ongoing battle to sell more kinds of alcohol or possibly have later hours.
The land the store sits on is currently zoned residential. Gurzick needs extra permission - called conditional zoning - to be able to sell more than beer and wine.
Gurzick now will have to wait until the Sept. 6 planning commission meeting to make that request. Depending on the outcome, he could be back in front of the commission Sept. 20.
A 15-day neighborhood notice is then required and the issue would be brought at an October meeting.
Tony Kulick, director of planning and community development, said there already is significant opposition to the expansion among other property owners in the area.
But, he said, any changes would not take effect until after Thanksgiving Day.
The conditional zoning is a new tool for Mount Pleasant, Joslin said.
Introduced about six months ago, conditional rezoning allows the city to negotiate with the owner of a property. For example, the city could request Gurzick's hours be cut in exchange for a liquor license or ask that Gurzick only sell one brand of beer, Joslin said.
The commission voted to send the recommendation to the liquor commission so it would not miss its chance to tell the board Gurzick's store is in violation.
City Manager Kathy Grinzinger said the recommendation was the same as a denial.
Gurzick was hoping for a postponement of the decision until after he had met with the planning commission.
"To get a denial rather than a postponement would result in additional expenses," he said.
news2@cm-life.com
City Commissioners on Wednesday voted to tell the Liquor Control Commission that T.O. Dbl D's Party Store, 104 E. May St. is in violation of zoning rules.
"Where he's located has not been zoned appropriately," Mayor Jon Joslin said.
Todd Gurzick, the store's owner, said he'll continue his ongoing battle to sell more kinds of alcohol or possibly have later hours.
The land the store sits on is currently zoned residential. Gurzick needs extra permission - called conditional zoning - to be able to sell more than beer and wine.
Gurzick now will have to wait until the Sept. 6 planning commission meeting to make that request. Depending on the outcome, he could be back in front of the commission Sept. 20.
A 15-day neighborhood notice is then required and the issue would be brought at an October meeting.
Tony Kulick, director of planning and community development, said there already is significant opposition to the expansion among other property owners in the area.
But, he said, any changes would not take effect until after Thanksgiving Day.
The conditional zoning is a new tool for Mount Pleasant, Joslin said.
Introduced about six months ago, conditional rezoning allows the city to negotiate with the owner of a property. For example, the city could request Gurzick's hours be cut in exchange for a liquor license or ask that Gurzick only sell one brand of beer, Joslin said.
The commission voted to send the recommendation to the liquor commission so it would not miss its chance to tell the board Gurzick's store is in violation.
City Manager Kathy Grinzinger said the recommendation was the same as a denial.
Gurzick was hoping for a postponement of the decision until after he had met with the planning commission.
"To get a denial rather than a postponement would result in additional expenses," he said.
news2@cm-life.com
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