City Councilman Speaks About Alcohol Lawsuit
By: Danielle Todesco
Updated: May 6, 2009
A day after business owners on the strip file a lawsuit against the city of Lubbock, City Council members are speaking out.
Nearly all of the strip retailers were granted a restraining order this afternoon against the city of Lubbock. This means, until this is resolved, the city and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission can not accept any applications for liquor licenses. Retailers claim the new law would restrict them from opening stores in prime retail locations. But City Council members like Floyd Price say they're trying to make sure liquor stores aren't set up next to churches and schools.
Zach Brady, Attorney Representing Strip Retailers:
"It's unfair because under the zoning regulations as they've been adopted, a business such as a grocery store or a pharmacy would be able to sell beer or wine in the same zoning area where a package store would be prohibited from operating altogether."
Floyd Price, City Council:
"I truly believe that the Council worked hard along with the zoning department on where we could zone these areas so hard liquor couldn't be sold. I don't want hard liquor across the street from Monterey High School, Estacado High school, or Lubbock High or something like that."
This restraining order applies for 14 days and the owners have a court hearing set for May 18th to try and extend that order with an injunction.
