Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren has asked for a temporary freeze on what she refers to as “high impact” retail store approvals until City Council has had a chance to review proposed changes to the city's laws governing such stores. Those are stores that include those that sell alcohol and beer, such as some of the typical corner stores.
She asked for this freeze in a letter to Mitch Rowe, the City's Director of Planning and Zoning.
"A city that is friendly to job growth and small businesses is something we all should support but at this time we need to strengthen the regulation of high impact retail stores before any additional locations are approved," Warren wrote.
Warrens request comes after a recent homicide near a mini-mart on the northeast side. The Beechwood Neighborhood Coalition said it had been complaining about increased criminal activity outside that store and other convenience stores in the area.
The group will hold a protest outside a Thursday morning Zoning Board meeting.
