All five McCaysville City Council members agreed they would approve revisions to the city’s alcohol ordinance if voters approve liquor by the drink May 19.
That revised ordinance, containing updates to 47 sections, was discussed in a council workshop Thursday, March 26.
City Attorney Cortney Stuart and Police Chief Michael Earley joined in explaining that most of the changes involved updating wording, such as changing “malt beverage and wine” to “distilled spirits,” or correcting typos.
But there were also sections Earley said needed updating because of changes in the city over the years. Those included expanding the city’s Downtown Business District (DBD) and allowing package sales of wine.
The revised ordinance would expand the DBD south along Blue Ridge drive to the City Limits near Pat’s Kountry Kitchen and east along Toccoa Avenue to River Road.
Earley was joined by Councilman Jason Woody in explaining this is needed in order that the city not appear as if it is limiting the sale of alcohol to a very few business owners.
Allowing the package sale of wine would relieve Earley’s concern over the present law. Currently, a person who wants to buy a bottle of wine must do so at a restaurant. But before they can leave with their purchase, the bottle must be opened and the customer have a drink. The bottle is then recorked so the customer can legally carry it in his or her vehicle.
Earley has contended this forces someone to drink before driving.
The ordinance would still allow restaurants to sell wine by the bottle, but the drink requirement would be removed and the bottle would not be opened.
Other businesses with package sales would have to show 75 percent of their sales were generated by products other than wine.
If voters decline the sale of liquor by the drink, council members agreed to update the current ordinance with those conditions – extending the DBD and allowing the package sales of wine.
The ordinance sets the annual fees for the various licenses needed for alcohol sales at $1,000 each for beer, wine and liquor – $3,000 for a restaurant to sell all three.
The fee for any other business, which would be limited to package wine sales, would be $3,500.
Also, the “last call” for alcohol would be 11:30 p.m., and businesses could apply for a permit asking that cutoff be extended 12 times a year to 1 a.m., allowing for special celebrations and holidays.
Earley explained the rigid process for any business to receive any type alcohol license would remain in place. Also, in the case of distilled spirits, the state must also approve a license before liquor can be sold.
After the discussion, Mayor Terry Arp asked each council member if they would approve the revised ordinance if voters approve liquor by the drink. One by one, each nodded in agreement.