Harriman council advances major rewrite of video-arcade code, defers closing-hours control to state law

The Harriman City Council on first reading moved to replace a decades-old chapter governing video arcades, pool rooms, bowling alleys and similar businesses, adopting a retooled ordinance that staff said updates antiquated language and clarifies licensing and proximity rules.

Gavin Smeltzer (counsel) and city staff reviewed the proposed changes: replacing sections 9302–9304 and related text, setting a one-time $100 initial licensing fee, and requiring applicants to petition the mayor and council with the property owner’s signature rather than signatures from adjoining property owners. The ordinance establishes a 100-foot proximity restriction measured in a straight, uninterrupted line from front door to front door between an arcade-type business and churches, schools, libraries or public assembly rooms.

On operating hours, staff recommended removing municipal closing-hour controls and allowing state alcohol law to determine alcohol service hours; the council concurred and directed staff to repeal the municipal-hours language so long as the city retains enforcement authority to revoke licenses if problems arise. “Any establishment that serves alcohol is governed by TCA,” a staff attorney said, and council members agreed they could always act to revoke a license for late-night disorderly conduct or other offenses.

Council directed additional technical edits and approved the ordinance for a first reading; a public hearing and final reading will be scheduled at the next meeting. The ordinance will also remove the prior provision restricting minors from entry (that section was deleted), and the city will continue annual renewals and police reviews for licensees.

The council’s action was procedural (first reading) and the record shows the council will hold a formal public hearing before final adoption.