(KLZA) -- Monday night the City Council in Falls City voted down a motion to give favorable comment to a liquor license request from the SUNMART grocery store.

Several times during the public hearing and subsequent discussion the distance between the business and two churches was brought up.  To the northwest of SUNMART is First Presbyterian Church at 206 East 20th Street and to the Southeast of the store is the 1st Brethren Church at 1902 Lane Street.

According to state law as well as city ordinance there is to be at least a 150-foot distance between a church and a business involved in the sale of alcohol. Hobart Rupe, Executive Director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission says the 150 foot guideline is from the nearest exterior wall of the business to the nearest exterior wall of the church.

If the distance is less than 150 feet, a business may request a waiver of the rule.

There have been several protests of the liquor license application submitted to the Liquor Commission and with the City Council not giving favorable comment, there will be a public hearing conducted by the Liquor Control Commission.  That hearing will likely be held in mid-April since the next scheduled hearing is just over a week away and as of Tuesday the Commission had not receive notification from Falls City of the Monday night Council vote.  

According to a copy of the application in the City Council packet SUNMART would like to have a 40 x 24 foot area amounting to 960 square feet inside of their current store where they would offer a full assortment of beer, both refrigerated and warm, wine and spirits.

SUNMART is applying for an I-D retail license, which would allow them to have wine-tasting events within the designated area.