LOWELL — Aldermen spent the first two hours of the council meeting Tuesday on two appeal hearings from the Planning Commission over a proposed game lounge and a salvage yard.
Adopting the 2014 budget was the first item of business on the agenda, but aldermen didn’t get to the budget before the press time.
Earlier this month, commissioners rejected a permit request from Dewayne Meadows for a game lounge at 313 Bloomington St. Meadows appealed the issue to the City Council.
Aldermen said they were concerned the game lounge was really gambling, although no cash is given to winners, according to Meadows. The top prize for a winner is a $12 card for gasoline, or a gift card that can be used to play more games.
Meadows, who operates three other game lounges in Springdale, said he’s licensed by the state and follows all the rules and regulations set by the state.
“It not just games. We are an Internet cafe for those customers who don’t own a computer or have access to the Internet,” Meadows said.
“I’m against this,” said Ronnie Breland, alderman. “It’s gambling and I don’t think we need that in Lowell.”
Other aldermen were concerned the game lounge would create more calls for police officers.
Meadows assured aldermen in the three years he has operated game clubs or lounges the police have never had to break up a fight or be called to one of his clubs.
“My concern is this praying on a particular class of people,” said Dean Bitner, alderman. “There plenty of restaurants and other places that have Wi-Fi. People can go there to use their computer.”
The operating hours of the lounge was another point of concern for aldermen.
Meadows wanted to stay open until midnight on week days and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
When the question was finally called on the permit aldermen agreed with planning commissioners and rejected the request.
A proposed salvage yard next to USA Metals Recycling on Lincoln Street also led to a long discussion.
Tom Smith of the USA Metals Recycling had agreed to every condition called for by commissioners, but commissioners rejected the permit.
Some aldermen said they didn’t want a salvage yard in the city, but others weren’t convinced the salvage yard was such a bad idea.
A vote to reject the permit failed after more than an hour of discussion. Bitner pointed out Lowell ordinances allow for a salvage yard at the location.
“I ask you if not there where? If not when?” Bitner said.
No decision was reached before press time.