School Board members voted in opposition to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s ordinance that would lessen the distance from schools, churches, or playgrounds to alcohol premises.
Board President Joe Arness is tasked with writing the letter and says there was significant discussion on the topic during work sessions Wednesday afternoon.
Arness: “We look for what’s best for kids, trying to find a reason why shortening the distance from a licensed establishment to a school is better for kids and I think there was some confusion about how we can justify that and the only other option is leaving it where it is. We recognize there are other concerns in the communities but from our perspective I don’t think it does anything good for schools.”
The ordinance was introduced at the November 10 Borough Assembly meeting where there was significant discussion about whether to introduce the motion.
Assemblyman Dale Bagley says he brought the ordinance forward because only three municipalities statewide, including this borough, have a longer buffer than the 200 foot one included in state statutes.
Asm. Bagley: “We need to have this discussion so that if we’re saying no to somebody who’s coming before us, a more recent assembly has agreed to 1000 feet, we agree to 500 feet, we agree to 300 feet. The other question is the way it’s measured and even if we stay at the 500 feet, I’d like to see us measure the way that the [Alcoholic Beverage Control] Board measures.”
The school board will deliver the letter of opposition to the ordinance before tonight’s borough assembly meeting where public testimony will be taken on the subject.
That assembly meeting begins at 6 pm in the Borough Assembly Chambers.