- Salt Lake City's Via Veneto Pizzarium tests Utah's new liquor waiver law.
- The law allows restaurants near parks to apply for liquor licenses, if the city they're located in allows them.
- A public hearing is set for July 14 with a city decision by Aug. 18.
SALT LAKE CITY — A new Salt Lake City pizzeria didn't waste much time testing a new state law, which allows restaurants to serve booze closer to parks.
Via Veneto Pizzarium, located at 511 E. 900 South, recently applied for a liquor license waiver, triggering a public process that was created through a law Utah lawmakers passed during this year's legislative session.
Among other things, HB597 allowed cities to grant waivers to primarily restaurants so they can potentially receive a liquor license despite being located within a 200-foot radius or a 300-foot path of parks, playgrounds or libraries. Many cities have run into planning issues as they grow, pushing developments closer to large parks, and the change could help improve the process, Rep. Jefferson Burton, R-Salem, the bill's sponsor, explained in February.
"I believe, though, that local governance is the best methodology. They're elected and can be fired by the people that elect them if they make the wrong decision," he said at the time.
The law didn't change the similar proximity requirements for bars and restaurants near schools or churches. While the city and state have squabbled on many issues, especially over the past few legislative sessions, the two sides agreed on the issue.
"The opportunity to do this now is a game-changer for our city," said Salt Lake City Council Chairman Alejandro Puy on Tuesday.
It seemed that during the legislative session, there was a window to make a hotel next to Sugar House Park a reality, but the Salt Lake City Council ultimately nixed a rezone request for the project in April.
Others were also interested, though. Via Veneto Pizzarium, which opened in March, applied for a waiver on May 8, a day after the law took effect, so it could obtain a license despite operating across the street from Liberty Park.
Amy Stevanoni, the restaurant's owner, wrote that the restaurant was "grateful for the opportunity to offer visitors and residents of the city with a full dining experience," should it receive a license.
It previously couldn't receive a liquor license since its radius and pedestrian path fell within both the 200-foot and 300-foot rules. It likely wouldn't impact the park because its location remains more than 300 feet from the park's perimeter path and 700 feet from the nearest playground, said Nick Norris, Salt Lake City's planning director.
The Salt Lake City Council scheduled a public hearing for July 14, which is required under the new state law. It also plans to provide a 30-day wait before a final decision to allow for additional feedback, meeting another state criterion. The waiver could be voted on as early as Aug. 18.
If approved, Via Veneto would be eligible to receive a liquor license through the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services.
The new waiver process could be a new tool to help small businesses advertise their new restaurant to neighbors, who receive physical notification when a waiver is requested, said City Councilwoman Sarah Young, whose district covers Sugar House.
It's something that could be tinkered with over time and possibly applied to some parts of Utah's capital city more than others, she and Puy explained. Either way, city leaders say they want to make sure they are following the new law procedures closely.
"It's huge for us to be able to ensure that they see that we're doing it by the book," Puy said. "Yes, there may be some people (who are) going to be upset about it, but the last thing I want is legislators using us as an example to take this away from us."
