Wednesday, December 6, 2000
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Wednesday, December 6, 2000 |
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Tough requirements, $5,000 fee being considered F'ville liquor ordinance being finalized for vote By MONROE
ROARK Businesses wanting to serve liquor by the drink in Fayetteville will likely face some stiff requirements once an ordinance regulating the practice is finally in place. A proposed alcoholic beverage ordinance amendment regarding distilled spirits by the drink had its first reading at Monday night's regular City Council meeting. City Attorney David Winkle is making some final adjustments to the ordinance according to council's instructions, and a vote is expected at the Dec. 18 meeting. Council members are in agreement with city staff's recommendation that the on-premises fee for liquor sales be $5,000. Asked by a resident at Monday's meeting if that would be in addition to the $2,500 fee now in place for beer and wine sales for those wishing to sell both, Mayor Kenneth Steele said that was correct. Also in the works is a requirement that establishments selling liquor by the drink have at least 75 percent of their total sales come from food. This ordinance will not allow Sunday sales, which Winkle said must be approved by a referendum like the one conducted last month in which city residents voted to allow liquor by the drink. Owners of the Village Cafe told council members at last week's workshop that while they are not convinced that they want to sell liquor even now that it will be legal, they would like the city to consider the Sunday beer and wine sales issue with regard to special events like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and New Year's Eve, which is on a Sunday this year. The city also is looking into setting a minimum distance from residential areas for establishments that sell liquor. While there is no state mandate like the rules regarding distances from churches and schools, Winkle said that the City Council has a right to make such a regulation. If that is done, there will also likely be some consideration of establishing separate districts, so that businesses in the Main Street area near downtown can have some leeway. Several churches are situated near the Courthouse Square, and city leaders are working to attract more restaurants to that area
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