Please place on the September 17, 2021 City Commission meeting agenda a referral to the Land Use and Sustainability Committee (“LUSC”) regarding a potential prohibition on new package stores along the Alton Road corridor.

The concentration of package stores in certain areas of the City can negatively impact residents’ quality of life. On October 19, 2016, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2016-4047 which, in pertinent part, prohibited package stores in the MXE, mixed use entertainment zoning district. At that time, the City Commission made the following relevant legislative findings:

·        “[P]ackage sales of alcoholic beverages in the MXE district encourage individuals to consume alcoholic beverages in the City’s parks, and on the City’s streets and sidewalks.” 

·        “[T]he consumption of open containers of alcoholic beverages in public places disturbs the quiet enjoyment of the community, causes undesirable noise, and contributes to litter, noxious odors, and the general degradation of the City.” 

·        “[T]he consumption of open containers of alcoholic beverages in public places is a violation of Section 70-87 of the City Code.”

I would like the LUSC to consider whether to prohibit package stores along the Alton Road corridor. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my aide, Amadeus Huff.