HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Huntington City Council will have a first reading Monday night of an ordinance that would ban new bars, taverns or nightclubs from opening inside city limits for a one-year period.
City leaders hope the ordinance helps them determine whether or not the amount of bars in downtown Huntington is contributing to higher crime.
"I just think that's a very harsh, rash view personally," Bethany Childers, a local bartender, said.
Childers says more options spread people out, which can avoid conflicts.
Huntington City Planner Don Kleppe says this ordinance came about because of concern in the community.
"There's concern about personal safety. There's concern about real property safety and personal property safety. People's cars are getting keyed and scratched. Bricks thrown through them," Don Kleppe said.
Kleppe said this is actually not a new concept. The planning department has been discussing this off and on for the last couple years.
The ordinance would not affect existing bars, but put a hold on new construction.
The ordinance needs a sponsor from city council before it can move on to a second reading. There would be a public comment period as well.