![Milton resident Frances McDonald shares her concerns about the proposed Alcoholic Beverage Overlay District. [ALICIA ADAMS | Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-6323316b-dae1-4366-e053-0100007f4512-9f40c13c.jpeg)
MILTON — During Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting, the City Council discussed the updated alcoholic beverage overlay district, but did not make a final decision.
THE ISSUE
City Planning Director Randy Jorgenson presented the updated Alcoholic Beverage Overlay District map and draft ordinance.
WHAT WE KNOW
The item was first brought up during the Dec. 4 Executive Committee meeting when city staffers provided the committee with draft alcohol district proposals with maps, which showed recommended expansion of the overlay district to south of the railroad and east of Canal Street in non-residential areas.
The council agreed to amend the map to take away part of the area south of Municipal Drive that belongs to Water Management and will not be developed.
The overlay would override a city ordinance that requires a downtown business making 51 percent of its income from food to be able to serve alcohol. This caused concerns among some residents during the Dec. 12 City Council meeting.
The item was revisited at the Jan. 18 Committee of the Whole meeting where residents expressed concerns such as public safety, littering and loitering.
Resident Frances McDonald, who lives within the potential overlay district, said she is concerned that with the opening of bars in the downtown area, there will be more drunk people loitering and causing safety concerns.
Police Chief Tony Tindell presented the council with an analysis of calls the police department received in 2017 related to alcohol; there were 85 calls.
“It’s not a morality thing … it’s a safety thing,” Jonathan Russell, pastor at the First Baptist Church of Milton, said, referencing events the church participates in involving children that may need to be reevaluated if a bar opened nearby.
WHAT’S NEXT
According to City Manager Brian Watkins, since the ordinance is an overlay and not a rezoning issue, the council could choose to add stipulations, such as the amount of bars per block, the type of establishment and if they need to serve food.
The city staff will create a new map, reducing the size of the overlay district to account for the parcels that are within 500 feet of a church.
Councilwoman Pat Lunsford made a motion to table the item for now and continue the discussion at February’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The motion passed with Councilwoman Peggi Smith, Councilman Alan Lowery and Councilman Jeff Snow opposed.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Council revisits alcohol overlay district concerns