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Natchez Planning Commission tables bar exception
Published Friday, September 18, 2009
NATCHEZ — The Natchez Planning Commission voted to table a special exception approval to operate a bar in the 300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Street Thursday.
Robert Newman is renting property at 319-C Martin Luther King Jr. St. in hopes of opening a beer-only sports bar for 40-somethings and older.
The two-story property is owned by Alfreda Beard of Illinois and managed by local resident Willie Carter.
The property’s first floor is home to a beauty shop and a clothing store. The bar would be located on the second floor.
“It’s not going to be a place open every night of the week. It may be open only three nights a week,” Newman said.
City Planner John “Rusty” Lewis said the property is adjacent to several churches, funeral homes and residences, a worry among residents who attended the commission’s regular meeting.
Newman said a member of St. John United Methodist Church had given her blessing for him to operate a bar near the church.
“I spoke with the church, and they haven’t had any problems with it at all because for the past 15 years there’s been a bar there.”
Attorney Vivian Brown-Toussaint, a St. John member, begged to differ. She urged the commission not to grant a special exception.
“It is my understanding the church does not support a bar being next door,” she said.
“There’s been a lot of maintenance done in the area of the building, but two months ago we showed up for church and someone was passed out on the steps.”
North Rankin Street resident Teri Tillman echoed Toussaint’s concerns, saying bars give way to noise violations.
“Bars do not enhance the quality of life in this neighborhood,” she said. “Bars aren’t quiet places.”
Commissioner Charles Harris said nearby residents should not assume Newman’s bar to be a noisy or rowdy place.
“You’re presupposing that there’s going to be a problem, and there may not be a problem,” Harris told Tillman. “I think that’s unfair to (Newman).”
Commissioner Karen Stubbs suggested the commission obtain police reports of violations or crimes reported in the area, and motioned for the commission to table its decision.
In the meantime, Lewis said the planning department will obtain aerial photographs of the property to determine ownership.
According to Carter, St. John United Methodist Church owns a portion of the Martin Luther King Street property, which is used for parking.
In other business, the commission unanimously approved the rezoning of property at 608 Jefferson St. as residential. Property owners Jessie and Kendell Horton plan to operate a guesthouse at the site.
Comments
Posted by Bozo (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have no opinion on this subject.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not real sure I know whay to say either:)... I did think it was illegal to have a bar within 300 of a school or church. Maybe I'm wrong.
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't know why they need a bar there. The one-stop is just a block away with lots of beer in it.
Posted by Crakalakin (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a 40-something I think it is a good idea. I'd go out more if I didn't have to deal with 20-something hormones, testosterone and general idiocy.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
aerial photographs?
why all this expense to settle a simple request?
and what is this commissioner thinking about? Mr. Harris- ALL bars are noisy and rowdy places unless they have no customers.......duh....
I wouldn't want a bar next to my church either....
Posted by jlmorris (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Krogers, I would like to know where someone can find aerial photos that shows land owners and boundaries.
Posted by marinefrmntz (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey when all else fails open up a bar or restaurant, people love to eat and drink I guess.
Posted by jlmorris (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at noon (Suggest removal)
After all, it is just taxpayer money! The city officials, their appointees and staff could care less about the taxpayer!
A politician does not have much power without taxpayer money at their disposal. I think that is the problems with the BOA. They have misused/abused taxpayer funds to the point that they are about to lose power.
The only way out of their power predicament is to tax more!!
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Krogers, it must've been a long time since you have been to a bar. In my experience they are NOT always "noisy and rowdy places."
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You can get a great aerial view of the area from Google Maps Satellite view.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ta...
Posted by Bigfish (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hear that the banners Budweiser does downtown for balloon races are not allowed this year, good move, maybe we should start limiting what businesses are open that weekend as well
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on September 18, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here is another site for aerial photos. Just drill down to the specific area you want to view.
http://www.bing.com/maps/
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The google site doesn't show boundray lines however. I don't know if the bing site does. Google runs photos about 4 years old, ours still shows my daughters old ranger sitting out in front.
Posted by Astrid26 (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Ntz has enough bars.
Posted by northpearl (anonymous) on September 18, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To bad Charlie T is not around to defend St John's and MLK Street.
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