By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington mayor Tari Renner said new restrictions the city council have approved to prevent liquor sales near daycare centers could cause what he calls “unanticipated consequences.”

Renner told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin he’s concerned the ban would hurt economic development.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Renner on WJBC.

“it is possible for example that the new Kroger coming in, the new $25 million or so Kroger that would come across the street from Meijer is right near a church which I understand has some kind of daycare facility,” Renner said. “Would that mean we could not have that kind of project?”

The measure passed on a 5-4 vote this week as a convenience store on the city’s east side wanted a packaged liquor license to sell within 100 feet of a daycare facility.

“We have more than enough tools currently, this is a additional change,” Renner said. “That’s the one concern that I have in terms of setting a precedent of changing our ordinances to stop specifics projects, because that applies to the entire city.”

Renner said he’s talking to the local business community before he ‘likely’ signs the bill.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].