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Council to revisit Grampy’s alcohol‑sales variance; vote to table further change
Summary
Council debated removing a time‑based restriction from a previously approved variance allowing alcohol at Grampy’s Pizzeria near a school. Police reported one proactive incident and no overserving since the variance; after lengthy discussion, council voted to table changes until a future meeting.
Councilmembers revisited a previously granted variance that allowed Grampy’s Pizzeria to serve alcohol despite proximity to school property. Councilman Mahoney and others argued the 300‑foot rule and the school‑hours condition were arbitrary for the specific site because the school structures sit behind a buffer and the distance between building footprints is much larger than 300 feet. Chief Andreas said the department has not recorded overserving incidents since the variance; the one incident involved an intoxicated adult who left the premises.
Some councilmembers urged caution and noted the previous variance required a supermajority to remove conditions. Staff explained that directing staff to bring the variance back would trigger the formal variance/public‑notice process and additional expense. After extended debate about timing ahead of seating two newly elected council members, motion was made to table the item; the council approved tabling the item until the next meeting.
Next steps: Staff will process the formal variance notification if council later directs, but for now the existing variance and its conditions remain in effect. Council indicated they intend to revisit the matter under the public‑notice/variance procedure at a later date.
