September 5, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Amending the city beer ordinance will be up for discussion again Monday night, September 9 when the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen meet in regular monthly session at city hall.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
At the heart of the discussion will be whether the city should amend the city beer ordinance to eliminate the current 400-foot distance requirement between a church or school and businesses seeking an on-premises consumption permit. If approved this would only apply to the C-2 zone which is the downtown business district and none of the other existing regulations in the ordinance would be changed.
Under the existing ordinance, the language states that “In no event will a permit be issued authorizing the manufacture or storage of beer, or the sale of beer within 400 feet of any school or church. The distance requirement shall be measured in a straight line from the primary entrance of the establishment seeking a permit to sell beer to the primary entrance of the school or church”.
Some business owners downtown who are seeking a change say the existing beer ordinance is an impediment to economic growth and its unfair in that some businesses can qualify for a beer permit while others cannot because of the 400-foot distance requirement. They want this restriction removed from the ordinance.
There are four churches within the C-2 zone downtown business district that could potentially be affected by a change in the city beer law regarding the distance requirement including the Smithville First Baptist Church, the Smithville First United Methodist Church, the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Refuge Church.
A public hearing would be held at a later meeting should the ordinance amendment be approved on first reading.
In other business Monday night, the aldermen will consider awarding a bid for city paving and approving appointments to various city boards and committees.