By Gerri Miller
Staff Writer -Elmore/Autauga News
The issue has been broiling as long as the summer’s heat, but it looks like it will be hanging in limbo at least until fall.
On Tuesday night, the Prattville City Council again voted to delay an application for Sunday, Inc., doing business as Jack’s Liquor and Tobacco Outlet, this time until its October 6th meeting.
Citizens have been rallying since early June to keep the controversial package store out of the Daniel Pratt Historic District. The proposed store would be at 402-A Washington Street at the intersection of Selma Highway and First Street.
The proposed store is in a small shopping center anchored by a Texaco gas station. The convenience store has held an off-premises beer and wine liquor license under previous ownership and the package store will have access from inside the convenience store and an entry on First Street.
Some people who live in the area have said they are opposed to having a liquor store 500 feet from a public library and near a school, the Splash Pad and Pratt Park. Other concerns have been increased traffic and a potential increase in area crime.
Some residents expressed concern about the location being closed to Stanley Jensen Stadium as well as the Creek Walk and picnic areas. “People will use this convenient location to buy convenient amounts of alcohol that they can conceal and consume,” one worried resident said at the June meeting.
Those early summer meetings found City Council Chambers full as business owners and residents voiced their opposition to the resolution. No one spoke in favor of the application Tuesday night but a few people who live near the proposed package store spoke out against it.
Last month the owners withdrew the application for the liquor store because it had been filed with a wrong address.
District 4 Councilman Jerry Starnes is the sponsor of the resolution. Both he and Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr. asked the council to delay the vote on the application because they had received new information only a few hours before the meeting.
Also Tuesday night, City Attorney David McDowell resigned his position at the end of the meeting. McDowell has served as city attorney for 20 years and has also been a city prosecutor. He was not available for comment following the meeting.
