Concerned parents and business owners lined up to plead and demand — some in tears — that the Auburn Planning Commission not allow a bar to locate next to Hardy’s Creative Childcare on North College Street.
They came away disappointed.
The commission approved the request 6-3. Charles T. Smith, Josie Walsh and Brenda Rawls voted no.
Brandon Haynes asked to locate a bar called Flip Flops at 214 N. College St. He said he thought he and the day care could cooperate and coexist.
Day care parents felt otherwise, voicing concerns about parking and traffic problems, lack of trash facilities, negative influences on children, dangerous trash and the picture it would paint for visitors.
Haynes offered to pay a security officer to discourage patrons from entering or throwing trash in the playground.
City planning staff suggested the bar not open before 6 p.m. weekdays. Haynes agreed.
Member Warren McCord reminded the commission that it was there to decide if it was a proper use, not to vote on society’s opinions on alcohol use. Other members reflected they were bound by laws and guidelines.
It took several calls before a motion was made and passed.
After the vote, Leslie Kerth, whose child attends Hardy’s, said she was disappointed.
“There’s a genuine concern about the safety of the kids,” Kerth said.
A father of three, Chad Bailey was visibly upset by the vote.
“They want taxpayer dollars,” he said. “They care more about that than the well-being of my child and moral values.”
The motion must still be approved by the Auburn City Council.
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