Planning board members tonight recommended sending proposed regulations on Internet cafes to city council for consideration.
Carl Garner voted against the recommendation because he believed it was unfair to allow the establishments to close at midnight while bingo halls can stay open until 2 a.m.
“How can you penalize one business?” he asked. “You can’t tame this animal so you close at 12.”
No one from the public spoke for or against the proposals at a public hearing on the matter.
Mayor Emery Doughtie did ask whether the seven Internet cafes operating in Roanoke Rapids would be under a grandfather clause.
“It’s a gray area because it’s such a new use,” Planning and Development Director Amanda Jarratt said. “There are localities retroactively enforcing. We wouldn’t make them close because their too close (to schools and churches).”
That wouldn’t mean the city wouldn’t regulate hours of operation and the number of machines for existing businesses, she said, which is something city council would have to decide.
Doughtie also asked about a moratorium on any new businesses coming coming to town. “My thought would be until we get a handle on them we don’t want to have so many in town.”
Jarratt said there are ways to enact moratoriums in cities but the matter was not discussed further.
Council will consider making the establishments a conditional use in the B-4 and I-1 districts.
Jarratt presented two minor changes to council, one putting language in the proposal for hours of operation — 8 a.m. to midnight — making it clear all games cease at midnight. The other change clarifies there shall be no more than 20 machines in a business including video poker machines.
Other proposed regulations remained unchanged:
• 500 feet from any residence or residential zoning district.
• 1,000 feet from any church, religious institution, day care center, public or private schools, public park or playground, public library, cemetery, video arcade or theater which shows G or PG movies regularly.
• 1,000 feet away from any existing electronic gaming operation, tattoo and body piercing establishment or adult and sexually oriented business.
• The machines or terminals must not be prohibited by state or federal law and must have applicable licenses and permits.
• No alcoholic beverages may be served or consumed on the premises.
The proposal also addresses parking with a requirement of 1.5 parking spaces for every two electronic gaming machines plus one space for each employee on shift of greatest employment.
There are currently seven establishments in the city. They are located at the following:
• 1114 Julian R. Allsbrook Highway
• 1740 Julian R. Allsbrook Highway
• 1308 East Tenth Street
• 112 East Tenth Street
• 1052 East Tenth Street
• 291 Premier Boulevard
• Second floor of Jackpot Bingo
