New downtown businesses shouldn’t be surprised by some additional scrutiny of licenses that allow them to serve beer and alcohol.

Lawrence city commissioners have a number of interests to balance as they consider whether to grant licenses to downtown establishments that want to serve alcoholic beverages.

But just as businesses shouldn’t be faulted for making such requests, churches and others affected by those businesses shouldn’t be criticized for standing on their own principles and opposing such requests.

Lawrence’s city codes generally prohibit alcohol sales within 400 feet of a church or school. A number of churches in Lawrence’s downtown. could be affected by such businesses. In a couple of recent instances, the Salvation Army at 10th and New Hampshire has protested license requests by businesses within 400 feet of the church and homeless shelter operated at the site.

The first request was from PepperJax Grill, which will be located directly across New Hampshire Street from the church. Although owners of the restaurant argued that beer sales would be only a minor part of their business, the Salvation Army thought it would be a bad influence on homeless people who use the shelter. The Salvation Army has a strict rule about not providing shelter for people who are intoxicated.

City commissioners weighed the interests of the Salvation Army, the business owner and the community at large and decided, on a 3-2 vote, not to allow the new restaurant to serve beer. Although the Salvation Army might be portrayed as the villain in this case, the ordinances that guide such decisions clearly spell out the need for a variance for an establishment located so close to the church. If selling beer was important to their business, the owners should have made sure the variance was possible before moving forward on the project.

PepperJax wouldn’t have been the only business selling beer or alcohol within 400 feet of the Salvation Army, but it would have expanded the drinking opportunities. This week, the Salvation Army also registered a protest against a waiver to allow The Replay Lounge to renew its lapsed liquor license. However, the Salvation Army acknowledged that it had had no problems with the Replay in the more than 10 years it had been in business.

Considering that and other factors, including the fact that the city hadn’t sent a license renewal notice, city commissioners agreed to the waiver that will allow the Replay to remain in operation.

There is considerable concern in recent months about the effect an expansion of drinking establishments might have on downtown Lawrence. It should be the goal of city commissioners to maintain a downtown atmosphere that is conducive to all of the roles this area plays in our community. Coming downtown to listen to music and have a drink is fine, but that shouldn’t override the interests of people who come downtown to shop, dine, attend church or participate in a variety of entertainment activities.