Spokane Mayor David Condon has agreed to dissolve the zone that could have led to restrictions of high-octane beer sales in the West Central Neighborhood.

The Spokane City Council voted 4-3 earlier this month to remove the neighborhood’s designation as an Alcohol Impact Area. The close vote meant that Condon had the power to veto the decision.

The West Central Neighborhood Council had requested the designation a year ago but recently reversed its stance. The majority of City Council members said they wanted to honor the neighborhood’s position.

Opponents of the change argued that restrictions currently were voluntary and were unlikely to be made mandatory unless neighborhood leaders demanded it. Repealing the impact area removes incentives carry-out owners have to stop selling to chronically inebriated customers, they said during the council debate.

Condon said earlier today that he remainded undecided on the issue and was gathering more information before he signed the ordinance. Today was his deadline to decide if he would veto the council's decision.

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