The Wine Cellar Restaurant Agrees To Install Wheelchair Lift

The Wine Cellar will install a wheelchair lift, but won’t have to take other steps to upgrade handicapped access, the Coeur d’Alene City Council ruled Tuesday.

That decision is in keeping with the spirit of a 1992 agreement between restaurant owner Jim Duncan and the city, council members decided. The agreement basically required Duncan to install the elevator-like platform if he ever sold a companion restaurant across the street - Jimmy D’s.

In the interim, Jimmy D’s gave handicapped people access to the same menu offered at The Wine Cellar.

Jimmy D’s recently sold, triggering Duncan’s agreement with the city. But changes in the Uniform Building Code require much more than a wheelchair lift.

Though he doesn’t expect it to pay for itself, Duncan said he is quite willing to install the lift. The other requirements are too expensive, he told the council.

The City Council also gave preliminary approval to the $33.4 million budget and set public hearings on the spending plan for Aug. 24, 29 and 31. People are encouraged to comment on the budget as early as possible, Mayor Al Hassell said.

If there isn’t sufficient interest, the third hearing will be canceled.

In other business the council:

accepted a $300 donation from the Falls Full Gospel Church Youth Group, a donation made in return for use of the city bandshell. The money will go toward playground equipment;

delayed action on new building codes, at the request of local builders;

delayed action on new regulations simplifying the formula for determining how much park area must accompany each new housing development. That delay also is at the request of local builders.

, DataTimes