Iowa City is planning to discuss a new kind of law targeting downtown bars in its meeting .
The city council of Iowa City will discuss the application of a law in effect limiting the proximity of drinking establishments, specifically where the downtown area in Iowa City is concerned.
They will consider if the law should only apply to the downtown area in Iowa City.
The ordinance in question was passed in 2009. It stated that there has to be at least 500 feet between businesses with liquor licenses. This includes bars as well as restaurants that may be open after midnight.
The goal of the law being passed was to prevent more bars from being opened in the downtown area. This was part of an effort to control drinking problems with college students that had been rising quickly.
There were arguments against the law when it was passed, stating that it would not exactly solve the problem and would target other areas, preventing them from opening up in good locations and getting business.
The issue is now being addressed once again in the city council, with this very idea in mind.
When the law is considered again, the city council will look at different areas of town and consider making the law exclusively for the downtown areas and problem areas with a large concentration of bars.
The change in the law would make only areas in downtown Iowa with a very high concentration of drinking establishments subject to the law.
The city council of Iowa City will discuss the application of a law in effect limiting the proximity of drinking establishments, specifically where the downtown area in Iowa City is concerned.
They will consider if the law should only apply to the downtown area in Iowa City.
The ordinance in question was passed in 2009. It stated that there has to be at least 500 feet between businesses with liquor licenses. This includes bars as well as restaurants that may be open after midnight.
The goal of the law being passed was to prevent more bars from being opened in the downtown area. This was part of an effort to control drinking problems with college students that had been rising quickly.
There were arguments against the law when it was passed, stating that it would not exactly solve the problem and would target other areas, preventing them from opening up in good locations and getting business.
The issue is now being addressed once again in the city council, with this very idea in mind.
When the law is considered again, the city council will look at different areas of town and consider making the law exclusively for the downtown areas and problem areas with a large concentration of bars.
The change in the law would make only areas in downtown Iowa with a very high concentration of drinking establishments subject to the law.
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