Maria Hegstad, The Examiner
2007-06-15 07:00:00.0
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Alexandria -

Alexandria residents and restaurant owners have another chance to vent Saturday about the city's proposed ban on smoking in its restaurants.

Changes to a city ordinance, requiring all restaurants to become smoke-free, were approved 4-2 in early May by city planners. Saturday’s public hearing is the last step in the process before the City Council votes.

Previous discussions of the ordinance have been heated. Proponents described the effects of secondhand smoke, while some restaurant owners protested that such a move will hurt their businesses. A few smokers proclaimed their right to light up.

A number of other issues are up for discussion at Saturday’s hearing, including locating a dedicated bus lane north of the U.S. 1 bridge near Monroe Avenue within a landscaped median. Other issues include reauthorizing red-light cameras, and raising the car decal fee from $25 to $33.