Agenda - Planning Commission - 10/06/1992

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I made an inqfairy with the Minnesota Liquor Control Commission in the hopes that an agent there may have been familiar with local requirements for a minimum amount of space, however, nobody there could tel me anything. The State has no such requirements. Therefore, I have no sound idea as to why the City of Ramsey has this requirement in its City Code. I would Speculate that it has something to do with the fact that the City has greater regulatory powers over liquor establishments historically in that a liquor license is considered a privilege and note right. If a city can be in the liquor business itself and derive a profit, however skimpy it may be, if that city decides not to be in the business and not get that profit, then perhaps they want to 'be assured that those who are licensed have a "quality" establishment that will continue to tiering in tax dollars equal to or exceeding the profit the city would make from ownership. I ~hould add that some communities set their license fees based on square foot sizes, however, this iappears to be for on-sale businesses. From a policing standpoint, I have not found off-sale liquor stores to be problematic, directly, in that we get few calls requiring police response to the current establishments we have. It could be said that there are problems stemming from the consumption of their product, but that is a much wider social problem and the absence or restriction of off-sale businesses in Ramsey would not deal with those effects. At the August 25, 1992 City Council meeting, Staff was instructed to bring this case before the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review and recommendations. The principal body of this case was that:which was presented to the City Council on August 25, 1992. I will be present at the meetingif the Planning and Zoning Commission has any questions. In addition, City Code also requires that off-sale liquor stores be "new construction", with new construction being defined as a building never before occupied. Staff is of the opinion that this request is excessive. The impact is that existing vacant or future vacant buildings in the appropriate zone could not be occupied by an off-sale liquor store. Recommendation: If the Commission is of the opinion that the 4,000 square foot minimum area and new construction requirement for off-sale liquor stores is excessive, then the Commission should forward a recommendation to City Council to amend City Code to reduce or eliminate these requirements. This amendment would not be subject to a public hearing by the Planning and Zoning Commission, }ts regulations for liquor sales is not part of the Zoning Chapter. Commission Action: Will be based .on your discussion. Reviewed By: Police Chief Zoning Administrator PZ: 10/06/92