“I can’t do anything else with the state until the city gives me approval,” Banks said. “That’s why renovations haven’t been made, because I’m not going to spend more money to get building permits without this approval.”

Previously the board tabled the approval saying the location was too close to the Church of Christ for it to be a bar.

Banks said the city measured the distance from his business to the church and it was not in violation of any city ordinances.

After Alderman Tron McCoy made a motion to approve the application, Stevens seconded the motion saying that it was a matter of legality.

“He’s applying for a valid business permit in a zone where we have no grounds other than personal dislike of the business to deny the permit,” Stevens said. “I’m not saying that I like it, I’m just saying that’s how the situation is.”

Before putting the motion to a vote, Mayor Hyram Copeland said he wanted to clarify with the board and Banks that this was strictly an occupational license and not a liquor and beer permit.

“I don’t want you starting down the road where we approve the occupational license, and then we don’t approve your beer and liquor license,” Copeland said. “I think that’s where this is going to end up, so I’m just trying to cut to the chase.”

Banks said he would not want to operate his business without serving alcohol.

Stevens and McCoy voted in favor of the occupational license, and Maureen Sanders and Ricky Knapp voted against the license.

Copeland ultimately broke the tie and denied the license.

“I have received a tremendous amount of phone calls pertaining to this one issue, and the issue is that the location is next to a church next to the main Carter Street,” Copeland said. “I just think it’s a bad location…so I’m going to vote ‘No.’”

After the meeting, Banks said he understood some of the board’s concerns, but that he would be back to pursue another occupational license.

“I’m going to be back, but it’s going to be a different route next time,” Banks said. “I have faith in my town, but I’m stubborn, so we’ll see what happens.”