The Batavia City Council has postponed voting on a proposal to let restaurants serve liquor within 100 feet of a church, school, hospital or nursing home after hearing objections from a local pastor.
Flanked by teenage parishioners, Rev. Mike Stoner of Batavia United Methodist Church, at 8 N. Batavia Ave. near Wilson Street, recently asked aldermen to reconsider its plan to remove the 1972 restriction on liquor sales.
“We are challenging a number of statements made by the [Government Services] Committee,” Stoner said.
“They state that this is an economic development issue and part of the city’s program to strengthen downtown. But prevalent liquor sales can only be a detriment to our downtown,” he said. “Mayor [Jeff] Schielke has worked long and hard to rid us of the reputation of being a bar town. Removing this restriction would be a long step back from that goal.”
The zoning code amendment would prohibit bars from locating within 100 feet of a protected use but would allow restaurants to serve liquor with food.
Officials are considering the change to accommodate Sam Abdelnour, who is moving his 17-year-old Italian restaurant Fantastico’s from 102 N. River St. to 227 W. Wilson. The new location is within 100 feet of Batavia United Methodist Church.
“This is a very old law that should be changed,” Abdelnour said. “I don’t have drunks in my restaurant. Nothing that goes on in my restaurant would affect anyone in a church or a school, even if it’s within 100 feet. It doesn’t make any sense.”
The committee will consider the issue at its January meeting.