Amador County – The Jackson Planning Commission voted 4-1 last week to deny a request for a permit to move the Fargo Club to 160 Main Street.

The Commission heard testimony for and against the move, then voted to deny the application. City Manager Mike Daly said Friday that it was a tough issue for the Commission to consider a company that wants to relocate because of the issues involved with an alcohol-selling establishment.

Daly said the vote to deny the request was based on the city’s Historic Commercial District code.

In the 4-1 vote, Commissioner Darek Selman was the only dissenter, but did not elaborate, other than saying the Fargo Club has been a business on Main Street for quite a while. Selman did not perceive problems to be as big as indicated by those testifying, or comments from Commissioners.

The Historic Commercial District code was adopted in 2009 and requires a conditional use permit for a bar or alcohol-related business, unless associated with restaurants. The restrictions are meant to protect or enhance tourism on Main. Daly said the Fargo could move to another commercial area of the city without any conditional use permit required, as long as it meets building code requirements.

At the meeting, applicant Jacqueline Harrison indicated that the Fargo Club is not getting evicted, and has not been told to leave the building, Daly said. He believes Stan Lukowicz is in escrow on the building where the Fargo is now located. Harrison seeks to relocate to 160 Main, the former location of Funk’s Gallery.

There was concern about narrower sidewalks and smoking. State law prohibits people from smoking inside businesses, and people tend to congregate in front of downtown bars to smoke, a problem seen at the current location of the Fargo, at 2 Main Street.

The proposed move brought concerns from adjacent businesses, including Bella Cucina Catering and Main Street Gallery, which share a back patio area, where Harrison planned to allow smoking. Daly said some speakers had concerns with smoke affecting the other businesses, or inebriated patrons having access to remote nonpublic areas.

Harrison has 10 calendar days (until Aug. 25) to appeal the decision to Jackson City Council. As of Friday, no appeal had been filed.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.