Council says no to Internet cafe
By John Joyce
Published in News on May 5, 2015 1:46 PM
Goldsboro City Council voted unanimously Monday to deny a conditional use permit to allow an Internet sweepstakes cafe on the north side of Spence Avenue between Ash Street and Cashwell Drive.
City Manager Scott Stevens said an earlier discussion on the matter held during the city's Planning Commission meeting on April 28 resulted in a recommendation by the commission that the permit be denied.
"They said a conditional use permit allowing an Internet sweepstakes cafe would not be compatible with other businesses there," Stevens said.
Internet cafes are permitted in the city's General Business zoning district under a conditional use permit as long as the business is not located within 200 feet of a residentially zoned property, church or school.
The cafe proposed in the permit application denied Monday met those requirements, but Council members said they felt the business would not be in harmony with existing uses in the neighborhood, which are predominantly retail.
In other business, City Finance Director Kaye Scott told Mayor Al King and council members that the city's budget -- in development since January -- will be prepared in the coming weeks and ready for review.
She told the council about the budget just moments after its members voted unanimously to authorize Mrs. Scott to file an application for approval with the state Local Government Commission for the financing of the W. A. Foster recreation center and the property located at 1501 S. Slocumb St. The money would help pay for the destruction of the center in its current location and for its relocation to the South Slocumb Street address.
Lastly, King offered a few annual proclamations including designating the week of May 10 through 16 as Peace Officers Memorial Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
He also issued his annual proclamation asking men living and working in Goldsboro to "doff their coats and ties" between April 30 and Sept. 30 to allow them to retain a little dignity while trying to keep cool.