DeQuincy may amend alcohol ordinance
Last Modified: Monday, June 11, 2012 4:07 PM
By Taylor Prejean / American Press
DeQuincy City Council members are expected to vote today on an ordinance modifying the city’s policy on alcohol sales.The Council on May 14 voted unanimously to introduce the new ordinance, but did not adopt the measure to give the public another month to provide input.
The original ordinance — adopted in the 1940s — prohibits alcoholic drinks with more than 3.2-percent alcohol content by volume to be sold when the establishment is within 300 feet of a school. The proposed changes would modify that distance to 200 feet and increase the limit to six percent.
City Council member Denise Maddox, who helped write the revised ordinance, said it brings DeQuincy’s policy more in line with state law and that of other area municipalities.
In order to address other council members’ concerns, Maddox said stipulations were added to the ordinance to make sure businesses can’t abuse the new regulations.
For instance, alcohol can only be sold along with food, and at least 80 percent of the restaurant’s revenue must come from food sales. Businesses must also maintain separate records for alcoholic beverage sales.
At the May 14 meeting, council members said community members generally seem to support the measure, based on a limited amount of feedback they have received from constituents.
A public hearing will be held at tonight’s city council meeting at 6 p.m. at city hall.
Members are expected to vote on the ordinance following the hearing.
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