The State - News from Nov. 23, 1988

The Madera City Council passed a tough zoning ordinance aimed at limiting the number of bars in a crime- and drug-ridden neighborhood. But property owners claimed that the action will hurt business and deflate property values. By a 4-1 vote, the council approved a rezoning of the South C Street neighborhood from commercial to restricted commercial. Existing bars can remain, but new bars cannot open and only certain businesses deemed to serve the neighborhood can locate in the area. “I’m not living in a fairy tale. I don’t believe because we don’t allow any more bars in the area that drugs are going to stop tomorrow. But it’s a step in the right direction,” said Adella Salazar, a neighborhood activist who pushed for rezoning. But Rosie Pistoresi, owner of the El Palenque Bar, said rezoning will harm bar and property owners because it limits their options during a sale.