Mr. Steak Withdraws Liquor Application

The conflict of spirits at the corners of Emma Avenue and Lincoln Way was laid to rest Tuesday without city intervention.

Mr. Steak owner Charles Nipp withdrew his request to have a beer and wine license, City Councilman Ron Edinger told his colleagues. So there was no discussion on Nipp’s request for a change in city rules that dictates no booze be served by an establishment that is within 300 feet of a church.

Nipp’s restaurant is on one corner of Emma and Lincoln, and the Lincoln Way Church of God is on the other - 10 feet too close.

The council did hear from several business owners who oppose a plan to effectively close five intersections along U.S. Highway 95.

The Idaho Department of Transportation has the final say in closing the median and eliminating left turns from Highway 95 on to Haycraft Avenue, Cherry Lane, Bosanco, Wilbur Avenue and Aqua Avenue.

That will harm several businesses with substantial investments along the corridor, Pat Raffee, executive director of Concerned Businesses of North Idaho told the council.

Rick Miller, owner of Big O Tire on Cherry Lane, said the result “would be to effectively condemn my property as a retail business.” Other business owners concurred.

The council voted to oppose the closure of Haycraft, told city staff to study the effects of the other closures, and urged people in the audience to contact the Department of Transportation.

The city also will investigate a drug and alcohol testing policy for police and firefighters at the behest of the council. Councilman Dan English is urging the policy because federal law will require the city to test workers with commercial driver’s licenses as of Jan. 1.

The rationale for the federal measure is that commercial drivers and heavy equipment operators are in “safety sensitive positions,” English said. Police and fire personnel easily fit that description, he said.

In other business the council:

Agreed to stop accepting glass in the curb-side recycling program and start picking up corrugated cardboard. People still can recycle glass by taking it to the transfer station on Ramsey Road.

Adopted the Uniform Building Code after months of disagreements over the code were resolved between the North Idaho Building Contractors Association and city staff.

Tabled action on a local improvement district for Kathleen Avenue to give property owners a chance to contest the formula that determines what they will pay.

Delayed a decision on annexing 8.7 acres on Fernan Hill until it is clear whether the property is too steep to be served by city utilities.

, DataTimes