Carson Council Refuses to Alter Arcade Ordinance
Bars, restaurants, theaters and arcades will continue to be the only businesses permitted to operate video games, despite a petition requesting a change in the arcade ordinance that was submitted to the Carson City Council by several hundred residents.
The City Council voted 4 to 1 last week not to change its restrictions on video games. Councilwoman Lorelie S. Olaes dissented.
The ordinance went into effect in 1984 after businesses and neighbors raised concerns about loitering.
The petition had backed a proposal by two businesses, Big Kid Enterprises and HomeRun Cards and Comics, requesting permission to operate three or fewer video games.
The municipal code requires that any business with more than three games pay $1,500 for a conditional use permit to operate as an arcade.
Gloria Iannitti of HomeRun and Dennis Trentadue of Big Kid said in a letter to the council that they should be allowed to have video games because children should not be hanging out in bars, restaurants or theaters, and that their businesses could provide “certain redeeming qualities” that would “be a positive input for children.”
The maximum penalty for violation of the ordinance is a $500 fine and six months in prison.
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