Mack wants rules eased on liquor sales near schools

Dan Kulin

Thursday, May 26, 2005 | 11:04 a.m.

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack is proposing that the city ease restrictions on liquor sales close to churches, schools, child care centers, and city parks.

As the last weeks of his term on the council wind down, Mack is sponsoring a proposed ordinance that would allow smaller retail stores to seek a special waiver to the city law that requires liquor sales be at least 400 feet from those sensitive places. The proposed change would essentially allow large convenience stores or drug stores to seek a waiver that is now only available to large drug stores or small grocery stores.

Councilman Gary Reese said that while he hasn't seen the proposed ordinance, he would oppose any effort to ease restrictions on liquor sales.

"We have enough alcohol in my ward," Reese said. "There are enough legal places to put them."

Reese also said he is concerned in general about the council granting waivers.

"I've always had a problem with some people getting them and others don't," he said.

Mack said he proposed the ordinance at the request of business interests

"I don't know if it's right or wrong at this point," Mack said.

The councilman said the change would allow stores such as CVS and Walgreen's to apply for the waiver. Mack, who also works as an independent consultant, said the proposed change would not affect any of his clients.

Currently, city law allows the council to grant a special waiver to the distance requirement to stores between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet large so long as no more than 10 percent of the store's floor space is taken up by the display and merchandising of liquor. A 20,000-square-foot store is about the size of a small grocery store or large drug store.

The law does not apply to retail stores larger than 50,000 square feet, and hotel-casinos with more than 200 rooms.

The proposed ordinance would allow the council to grant distance requirement waivers to stores of at least 12,000 square feet a waiver so long as no more than 10 percent of the floor space is taken up by the display and merchandising of liquor. A 12,000-square-foot store is about the size of an average drug store or large convenience store.

Current city law also allows stores smaller than 20,000 square feet to receive waivers so long as a highway is between the store and the nearest church, school, or park. The proposed ordinance would preserve this exception, but lower the threshold to 12,000 square feet so long as no more than 10 percent of the store was taken up by the merchandizing or display of alcoholic beverages.

The proposed ordinance is scheduled to be read into the record during the council's Wednesday meeting, and is could be scheduled for a council vote on June 15, which will be Mack's last meeting.

Mack decided not to seek re-election, and candidates Steve Ross and Mary Gillins face each other in a June 7 election to pick Mack's successor.