Nonprofit groups object to proposed thrift store rules

Steve Sebelius

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Thrift stores would be a little harder to start up under regulations proposed by a Las Vegas councilman.

A bill authored by Councilman Matthew Callister would force thrift stores to get a special-use permit before setting up shop in a commercial zone in the city, a proposal that's already drawing heavy fire from nonprofit groups.

Callister said he wrote the bill for residents who say thrift stores don't mix well if they go in too close to homes. But that explanation didn't fly with nonprofit groups at a public hearing Monday.

Millie Clark, spokeswoman for St. Jude's Ranch for Children, said thrift stores are becoming more upscale. "It's not a rag-and-bag operation," she said.

"You need to be supporting the nonprofits and the good work that we do, not putting another obstacle in our way," Clark said. "We should be able to go where any other retail business goes."

Callister's plan wouldn't ban the stores from commercial zones, but forcing them to go through the additional process of getting a special-use permit takes valuable time away from charity work, said Lt. Col. Jim Sullivan, director of the Clark County chapter of the Salvation Army.

Mike Husted, executive director of Catholic Charities, said many nonprofits depend on revenue from thrift stores for income. "Community fund-raising and thrift stores are about the only way these human service organizations have to supplement the grants and other funding," he said.

Callister said the issue was sparked when a Salvation Army thrift store was proposed for a center at Smoke Ranch Road and Jones Boulevard. Residents objected and the council voted to reject the store. But the Salvation Army sued, saying it was denied its legal right to open a store in the center.

Under current case law, the city must defend decisions to reject development proposals that are consistent with the general plan. But since there is no right to a special-use permit, the council would gain greater legal leeway if Callister's bill is approved.

After Monday's hearing, Callister tabled his measure to decide whether to impose the special-use permit requirements on C-1 and C-2 commercial zones, or only in C-1 zones. The bill must come back before the council for a vote before it can go into effect.