Reading of intoxicating beverage ordinance passes

Over last week’s objections by Vice-Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, the four remaining St Augustine City Commissioners approved, on first reading, an amendment to the city’s prohibition of intoxicating beverages being sold within 100-feet of an established church; so long as 50-percent, or more, of the applicant restaurant’s sales come from food.

The proposed ordinance, drafted by City Attorney Ronald W. Brown, was in accordance with direction given by the commission at the May 6, 2013 meeting. The ordinance will come back for a public hearing, comments, and final vote at a future meeting.

In the language of the proposed amendment, the commission finds that current policies and ordinances defeat property owners, and the churches, from maximizing the use of their properties. Because of the close proximity of the buildings, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Sikes-Kline questioned the ability to audit the condition that service is allowed only in restaurants with more than 50-percent in food sales. If approved on second reading, Ordinance 2013-13 will amend Section 4-2 of the City Code, requiring, on an annual basis, that the restaurant provide the city manager a financial report which shows the gross revenues of the restaurant and which identifies the percentage of gross revenues derived from the sale of food.

No provision of the Ordinance shall serve to waive or nullify any applicable land use or zoning regulation otherwise required by Code.