Geneva explores possible change to liquor code

Should a restaurant next door to a church be allowed to serve alcohol?

Geneva city planners are discussing whether to change its laws to allow that.

The issue has come up in relation to the building at 317 S. Third St., which is next door to Geneva Lutheran Church. The building, in the heart of the Third Street shopping area, has had stores in it for many years, and recently changed hands.

"We have had several requests over the years," said Ellen DiVita, the city's economic development director.

Geneva's liquor code is stricter than the state's liquor code, in that the state allows liquor to be served within 100 feet of a church building if it is not the primary purpose of the business (i.e. no bars, but a restaurant whose primary business is serving food may be OK.) Geneva's code only allows that for liquor license holders who were in business before 1959, or for liquor license holders who had a church move in near them.

The Geneva law also prohibits liquor licenses within 100 feet of the property line of schools, hospitals, homes for the aged or indigent, veterans, their wives or children, or any military or naval station.

The change being discussed would apply primarily to churches in the downtown area, as there aren't any commercial districts near churches in other neighborhoods. Downtown churches include the Unitarian Universalist Society, which is across the street from an American Legion post that has a liquor license, St. Mark Episcopal on Franklin Street, and Geneva United Methodist Church on Hamilton Street.

"We've been asked about it so many times, the mayor suggested we explore this," DiVita said. She sent letters to all Geneva churches asking to meet with representatives; two came. Later this month, she will speak to the governing council of Geneva Lutheran.

"It makes sense because they would be the most effected," she said.

The congregation's president confirmed that the meeting will happen. He said he supports keeping things the way they are, but did not explain why.