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Zoning officials to mull policy on Internet cafés
YOUNGSTOWN
The city’s restrictive policy on the location of Internet-café-sweepstakes businesses likely will prohibit the opening of one on East Midlothian Boulevard, city officials said.
But the city’s board of zoning appeals chose Tuesday to not decide on the proposal based on the advice of city Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello, a board member.
Instead, the board voted to “take the matter under advisement” and give a written decision at its next meeting, March 15.
Board members acknowledge a law approved Oct. 20, 2010, by city council doesn’t leave them much room but to reject the proposal from Joseph M. Sabatini, a Pittsburgh businessman who wants to open such a business at 850 E. Midlothian Blvd.
An Internet café is a business that permits customers to buy Internet time and go on websites to play sweepstakes games of chance. Those who win the games receive money or prizes.
The city’s law prohibits such businesses from operating within 500 feet of any church, school, library, playground, public park or private residence.
The Midlothian Boulevard building, last used as a McDonald’s restaurant, is within 500 feet of at least 10 houses.
There are four locations in Youngstown with these electronic games of chance. But all were operating before the law took effect.
The city can’t retroactively shut them down, including one that is a short distance from Sabatini’s proposed site, Guglucello said.
Also Tuesday, the board approved requests by B.J. Alan Fireworks Co. to install a sign larger than permitted under city code on a facility the company is building on Meridian Road, near Lanterman Road.
The company is building a fireworks store on the land, annexed to Youngstown last year from Austintown.
The board agreed to allow the building’s front sign to be 204 square feet. Under city code, the sign couldn’t be any larger than 120 square feet.
Also, the board agreed to permit the sign to be 34 feet high when city code states it can’t be more than 30 feet high.