Syracuse debates alcohol issue

SYRACUSE — Residents argued during a special Syracuse City Council meeting Tuesday over allowing restaurants to serve alcohol for on-site consumption.

Within the next two weeks, the council is expected to vote on the issue, and the council's aim Tuesday was to get information to help make a better decision.

About 26 people attended the meeting, which had been expected to draw a full house. And four people argued each side of the issue.

"Why should we, who have a majority of the people in this city who don't drink who are of the LDS faith, lower our standards to bring revenue into the city?" asked Rusty Eskelson. "I just want one redeeming value of alcohol. There is none."

Jeanne VanVelkinburgh said people who go to restaurants don't have to drink alcohol.

"Everybody is not Mormon in this town," VanVelkinburgh said. "You can't run a town by the church. You have to include everybody."

Developers HBN, out of Midvale, own a 10-acre parcel of land west of a newly opened Wal-Mart on Antelope Drive. The firm is close to signing a six-plex movie theater and would like to bring sit-down restaurants to the development. A few restaurants want liquor licenses and are waiting on the council's decision before they decide to sign.

"I think for the benefit of the city, these are nicer restaurants," said Steve Hawes, one of the developers.

He added that his firm will abide by whatever the city decides.

Two residents argued that Syracuse shouldn't have to lose tax revenue to Layton, Clearfield or Ogden, because more restaurants are located there.

But Allyson Eskelson wondered where the city allowing restaurants to serve alcohol would lead. "Is the bars next? Is the strip club next?" she said.

Mayor Fred Panucci said the city's ordinances don't allow for such establishments.

Other residents were concerned that the restaurants would be too close to Syracuse Junior High School, and that an impaired driver could hit children playing outside.

But Wendy Wallace said people who go to Layton and drink with their meals are still driving home to Syracuse. Having a restaurant in town wouldn't make the streets any more dangerous, she said.

Melva Sine, president of the Utah Restaurant Association, spoke at the meeting and explained that restaurants have to buy all of their alcohol from the State Liquor Store and that restaurants are forbidden to make money on alcohol sales.

"Restaurants don't go into business to serve alcohol," she said. "Restaurants go into business to serve great food."

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