CALHOUN, La. (KNOE) – The Ouachita Parish Police Jury has voted against allowing a business owner a liquor license for a business located at the former “Stop N’ Shop” on Highway 80 in Calhoun on January 21.
The senior pastor of Calhoun’s Mount Zion Church, Tony Smith, said if that building opened and started selling alcohol, it could pose a danger to his congregation and the public.
The owners of the business that will be called Calhoun Travel Plaza attempted to obtain a Class B and Class D liquor license.
Scott Patton, an attorney representing the owner, said the reason they should be able to receive the licenses is because he believes the business’s neighboring building leased to the church is not used for regular church functions. the church.
“When the application was submitted, it was an empty metal building, and tonight it’s still an empty metal building. It’s not a church,” Patton said.
However, Smith said there are plans to hold religious events in that building as early as this weekend.
“It’s a kids’ day, basically a kids’ play day. We’re going to study the Bible there, pray and have other events for the youth,” Smith said.
According to the Louisiana State Legislative Offices website, no property is allowed to obtain a liquor license category if it is 300 feet or less from buildings such as public schools, playgrounds , libraries, churches and synagogues.
According to District Attorney Jay Mitchell, the measurements indicated the proposed commercial activity and the main church across the street was more than 300 feet tall.
However, the church building and business are less than 100 feet apart.
Smith said it’s not a good idea to have a church and a liquor store nearby.
“Not everyone agrees with that. We have men here who are against it. We have many members of our church who are 100 percent on board with doing this and are opposed to it,” Smith said.
Smith says the potential sale of alcohol near his church could pose a danger to children and teens who use the playground and parking lot to play.
“If they’ve had a few drinks or whatever, a few drinks and they stop for a few more and they drive away instead of getting on the highway thinking, ‘I’m a little tipsy or drunk.’ , and they fall on the highway. Well, we have kids playing here,” Smith said.
It’s unclear what the next steps will be for the company and the church.
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