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Item 06B <br />Page 2 <br />There is not a direct correlation between the location of liquor stores and criminal <br />activity. There is a correlation between loitering and criminal activity. The <br />perception is that liquor stores provide a place to loiter, thereby attracting criminal <br />activity. This is no different than any other gathering space, such as a park or <br />parking lot. <br /> <br />3. Determine if any additional official controls should be used to regulate the sale of <br />intoxicating liquor. <br /> <br />This is up to the City Council’s discretion. In Staff’s research, there are no “best <br />practices” used by a majority of cities. <br /> <br />4. Determine whether there should be a minimum distance separation requirement <br />between off-sale liquor stores. <br /> <br />This is up to the City Council’s discretion. Similar to #2, Staff did not find a <br />correlation between the location of liquor stores and non-compatible uses. The <br />attached January 2nd Staff Report includes research conducted by a University of <br />California graduate student. The research suggests popular opinion is to allow a <br />concentration of liquor stores within a shopping area (e.g. Mounds View Square), <br />but not in a neighborhood area. However, depending on how a person defines <br />“neighborhood”, Mounds View Square is in a neighborhood. <br /> <br />The current ordinance prohibits such businesses within 500’ of Edgewood and <br />Pinewood schools and churches, measured from the main door of the business <br />to the school/church building. <br /> <br />It is Staff’s opinion that the intent of providing a separation has more to do with <br />the “appearance” of a liquor store than it does the distance between a liquor <br />store and a school or church. A store’s appearance (e.g. bared doors & <br />windows, windows covered by sign decals) is difficult to regulate, and would <br />need to be applied to all businesses (restaurants, banks, gas stations, etc.). <br /> <br />5. Determine which zoning district such licensed businesses may operate. <br /> <br />This is up to the City Council’s discretion. Currently, liquor stores are a permitted <br />use in the B-2, B-3, and B-4 districts, and must comply with setbacks. This <br />applies to Microbreweries & Microdistilleries2. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />2 Ordinance 926, pertaining to “Cocktail Rooms, Microbreweries, Microdistilleries, and Taprooms” (Aug 22, 2016) <br />additionally allows such uses in the I-1 district.