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Alcohol ordinance will be discussed tomorrow

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

The Fayette County Commission will get its first glance tomorrow at an ordinance that will govern the sale of mixed-drinks in the county.

During the July primary, Fayette voters overwhelmingly decided to add mixed drinks to the menu at restaurants in the unincorporated county. Nearly 65 percent of the voters opted to approve martinis with their meals.

Currently, the only three establishments in the county to benefit from the vote are the Olde Mill Steakhouse, the Italian Oven, and the Palmer Course at Starr’s Mill.

County Commission executive assistant Carol Chandler said the 17-page ordinance governing the sales of mixed drinks that will be discussed Thursday may not be the last word on the issue.

“This is the first time the commission has seen this, so I’m sure there will be some changes,” she said.

The lengthy document contains the usual assemblage of legalese, but several key points emerge.

• For an establishment to sell mixed drinks in the unincorporated county, at least 60 percent of its annual revenue must come from food sales. Many other local ordinances, including Coweta County’s, place the percentage at 50 percent. The receipts will be sent to the county’s business license department for review on an annual basis.

• No sales will be allowed on Christmas Day, but if New Year’s Eve falls on a Saturday, the establishment can continue sales until 1 a.m on New Year’s Day.

• Sales will not be allowed for any establishment within 300 feet of a church, school, library or alcoholic treatment center.

• A one-stop license for selling mixed drinks, beer and wine will be $1,250 a year. If the establishment wants to sell only beer and wine, the fee is $750. This is in sharp contrast to Coweta County, which instituted an annual license fee of $5,000 for mixed drinks sales in the unincorporated county.

Discussion of the ordinance will occur during the commission’s meeting tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Stonewall Village complex.