Following a local church’s opposition, the McCall City Council rejected an application for a bar that would have opened in the downtown core.
Razz, LLC, applied to build a bar at 200 Lenora Street just down the road from the McCall Community Congregational Church. Idaho has a statute that prohibits serving liquor within 300 feet of a church unless there is approval from the local government.
The church had previously submitted a letter to the city stating their board had “no objection” to this bar opening, as long as the bar did not serve alcohol before noon on Sunday.
The proposed Razz bar is on the same block as the church, separated by a small natural health store. It is one block south of the Yacht Club bar.
However, after the council approved the exception to build within 300 feet of a church on January 12, the church changed its mind — and took back its letter of no objection.
Now, they object.
“I am not opposed to anyone who wants to create an opportunity to make a living for themselves,” church Reverend Charlottie Havlicak wrote. “However, there are rules, regulations, and laws that govern where such activities take place. Residential areas, schools, and churches have always been off-limits to these types of businesses for obvious reasons. I think the laws should not be vacated to grant such a permit. In doing so, you set a precedent that others will expect.”
The chair of the McCall Community Congregational Church Board of Trustees, Phil Reberger, submitted a new letter stating the church was “strongly opposed” after discussions with church members.
“This decision was reached following two separate round table discussions and informational meetings with members followed by an email poll of all members,” Reberger wrote.
Council changes votes
During the city council meeting, members talked about how the church saw problems with cigarette smoke and noise coming from the bar.
McCall Mayor Bob Giles and council members, Lyle Nelson, Julie Thrower, and Mike Maciaszek voted to change their votes and deny the exception to the state law.
“I think the official word from the church matters,” Nelson said.
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Council member Maciaszek echoed what other officials were saying and pointed to the responsibility of looking at public input to make decisions as an elected official.
“Public input and feedback matters… it definitely does to me, at least in the way I consider my role from the time that I’m on council. And so I think we’ve got a lot of concerns from a lot of people in the community. And those people are part of the church, yes, they’re part of our community. So that does weigh,” Maciaszek said. “So we’re boiling it down to some degree. It appears that we’re making a decision that is either going to disappoint a significant number of people within our community or it’s going to disappoint the parties to the transaction. It’s one or the other.”
Colby Nielsen was the sole council member to vote no. He believed that several of the church’s issues could be dealt with and addressed by the planning and zoning commission.
“I support local businesses, and not trying to disregard the members of the church, and what the church is… But I don’t feel that this is going to have the great negative impact that everyone’s proclaiming,” Nielsen said.
The building currently houses McCall Pet Outfitters & Supply. Re/Max has the building listed for sale at $750,000.
