Charge New Plan Bad For Thrift Stores

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

A new plan being introduced at Wednesday's City Council meeting would force potential new thrift store owners to get a special-use permit and attend a public hearing if they want to open a thrift store in most commercial areas of town. All they must do now is apply for a business license.

Councilman Matthew Callister, who sponsored the ordinance, said the city isn't trying to be mean-spirited. He said the council started taking a look at the thrift store issue over the summer when the Salvation Army tried to open a new thrift store in northwest Las Vegas.

Nearby residents complained they didn't want the thrift store so close to their homes, some of which are valued at $250,000, Callister said.

Owners of secondhand stores would be able to forgo the proposed hearing process if they open stores in areas that allow a combination of industrial and commercial businesses.

However, such districts cover only a small part of the city's land.

"We feel we're being discriminated against," said Lt. Col. Jim Sullivan, Clark County coordinator for Salvation Army Services.

Callister said there still is time to work on the ordinance so special considerations are given to nonprofit thrift stores.

But Sullivan and Steve Chartrand, who heads the local Goodwill agency, said there is a need for secondhand stores in all communities.

Last year, Goodwill provided job training for 130,000 adults throughout the country.

The Salvation Army also has taken social service burdens away from the city through the operation of thrift stores and donation collections during the holiday season.