Lynden Relents A Bit On Dance Ordinance

LYNDEN - The Lynden City Council has approved changes in an ordinance that will allow public dances without a permit in places that don't sell alcohol.

The town of about 5,000, which is 15 miles northeast of Bellingham, drew national attention in 1981 when the council adopted an ordinance that banned public dancing where alcohol is sold.

A restaurant challenged the ordinance that same year, and the case went as far as the state Supreme Court. But the court didn't rule, in effect letting the law stand.

Scott Biesheuvel, 39, said the changes will allow his Silver Spur dance hall to offer its first dance without a permit tomorrow, the day the changes take effect.

Scott and Debi Biesheuvel who opened the Silver Spur last month and held three dances with permits, had asked the council to strike down parts of the ordinance.

Places that sell alcohol still won't be able to hold dances, and places that allow alcohol on the premises will still be limited to three dances every 60 days.

The Biesheuvels plan to offer alcohol-free, no-smoking country dancing every evening except Sundays.

Rural Lynden resident Dr. Walter Meester recalled reading about the town's dance ordinance in 1981 in The Wall Street Journal and liking the city's stance.

"That's one of the reasons why I moved here and I'm very glad I did," he said.

Meester recommended a 1,000-foot buffer between dance halls and places that sell alcohol, but the council took no action on his suggestion.