Council approves alcohol sale amendment

After considerable discussion, including objections from some downtown church members and support from merchants and some residents, the Council approved an amendment Tuesday that will allow bars and nightclubs to open up next to churches in parts of downtown.

At the City Council meeting, council members voted 3 to 2 to amend the city alcohol ordinance after it was defeated the first time and returned to the agenda last month.

Tuesday, Councilman Andrew Fells and Council President Scott Stanley cast the dissenting votes.

The amendment now allows businesses within the newly created Downtown Entertainment Overlay District to sell alcohol without selling any food. What this means is that bars, pubs and clubs can now open within the small portion of the city's Community Redevelopment District.

The new entertainment district spans around the Circle. It goes up West Center Avenue to Lakeview Drive; up North Commerce Avenue to Pomegranate Avenue; up North Ridgewood Drive to Pine Street; includes two properties on East Center Avenue and the Circle; goes up South Commerce Avenue to Pine Street; and up South Ridgewood Drive to Oak and Franklin avenues.

No alcohol may be sold within 500 feet of Sebring Middle School.

The amendment also now conforms to the state's definition of a school, excluding licensed daycares, preschools or a kindergarten. This eliminates Cub City daycare on South Commerce Avenue from the equation.