[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6280806,"mediaKeyId","2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785","parentId",2610814,"title","Council approves alcohol licenses for corner store and new restaurant; attorney warns about sales to minors","audioSeconds",416,"startMs",2611000,"endMs",3027000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785&start=2611&end=3027","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785/thumbnail_2611000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280806/Villa-Rica/Carroll-County/Georgia/Council-approves-alcohol-licenses-for-corner-store-and-new-restaurant-attorney-warns-about-sales-to-minors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280806-660a3d22b1076b805e527f471ce51088/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049049&Signature=lfO-hqMmToCPLx0CcrJnU3pSJpfBiX-p1yfiGPC-jbDDwFYv22uH7X~YRRFbRPC~g5RNRsuLn-gAGtD3z7mGhI2Xuwl8MIJzzzifrVik85i1X~eQYAmqntHw9cnriegrQ-05HvefzR8LULKdqgs27QsB5Qzl85kaze-QJKSR80QKyU-b9XwU-ybyxe767TOlu8fwRcyvab8TBAil8mfOdl72-lzSBVCnhqwEVm51Kqtkq9WuKatL-VLIH0oIkNgSld0SweK133vzNpSJqlDUyMGRbEYMeBhHKns51ehj-8fOl2LLEPfSlE1fvG-9VftY8v4JNBk6iYgdlJxo06MmiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-12T12:19:33Z","article","Villa Rica’s City Council approved two alcoholic beverage license applications on March 11: Honest Commercial Inc., doing business as Discount Smokes & Beer at 733 West Bankhead Highway, and Captivating Camino LLC at 921 Moores Ferry Road (a new Latin‑fusion restaurant). Both applications passed by recorded motions of 4‑1.

Staff said both applicants met ordinance requirements, passed background checks conducted by the Villa Rica Police Department and completed public‑notice steps required for issuance. Ravi Kumar Patel, the licensee for Discount Smokes & Beer, told the council he had been running the store for many years and was complying with the renewal process after a missed renewal deadline. Restaurant owner Juan Medina described his Captivating Camino concept as Latin fusion and said he was excited to open and serve the community.

City Attorney Mr. Drummond addressed both newly licensed owners after the approvals, stressing compliance obligations. “If you sell alcohol to [underage buyers] without carding them, then your license is subject to being revoked,” he told both licensees and noted the police department runs compliance checks with underage informants. He advised training staff, carding patrons and maintaining records to avoid enforcement actions.

Both license motions passed 4‑1; the record did not identify which councilmember cast the opposing vote. Council directed license holders to work with police and city staff on any outstanding compliance steps.

Votes at a glance (selected items from the meeting):
- Consent agenda (intergovernmental agreements, final plat, fireworks permit, engineering services, senior housing support): approved unanimous (recorded as unanimous in meeting).
- Purchasing ordinance updates (purchasing authority limits, local vendor preference): approved unanimous.
- Sign ordinance: partial approval of sections 9.03(f), 9.04 and 9.393 — approved unanimous; additional sign items deferred to planning.
- Board of Ethics appointments: tabled to April — unanimous.
- Proposed stop signs at Eleanor Walk / Thomas Dorsey: tabled to April — unanimous.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Villa Rica","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved alcohol‑by‑the‑drink licenses for Honest Commercial Inc. (Discount Smokes & Beer) and Captivating Camino LLC (new Latin‑fusion restaurant). Both licenses passed 4‑1. City attorney and police reminded licensees to train staff and card patrons to avoid sales to minors.","taxTitle","Villa Rica, Carroll County, Georgia","taxId",57022,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6280811,"Council approves limited sign‑ordinance changes, sends aesthetic and 'inflatable' rules back to planning",2335,4445000,6780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785&start=4445&end=6780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785/thumbnail_4445000.jpg","/articles/6280811/Villa-Rica/Carroll-County/Georgia/Council-approves-limited-signordinance-changes-sends-aesthetic-and-inflatable-rules-back-to-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280811-ee3b83f22f9a75b2b59b0f4c6839f1cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049049&Signature=TXuM2LaohKr8YHAAOZz39qaz7G5jaT1vELRrySy57pozs0rxXQLYiP1jIrM95etyMarK~jhOFhDa3VoEQ0fcm7cPmcjDfnhJ0YhMpnztT3y1jpuMXJGHRp6Adso9M-mCWxMp-AKxoRo6cBOzCLB9CFoKdjAQYBdKG5TbaVns8FbMd~bfISF4nWVvFpoR5Lm3ub9e~pwIQajD-g9nubS7FFVYdpGzj85JcII54lb41ceYnWEWYnd3QOS-~pCCQqdRFGeT-MoWIJFnegKnOz0n5Fcf0wO068y1ddvMOP~yOTPHW0iOZg~yn7~AprRfZXpwroDSLhtwieSc3Cf405osOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Villa Rica’s City Council on March 11 approved a set of targeted amendments to the city sign ordinance but declined to adopt more controversial aesthetic and inflatable‑sign rules at this meeting.

Planning staff proposed several changes after reviewing practices in neighboring jurisdictions. Council approved raising the sign‑review fee (staff proposed $50, aligning with nearby cities), removing a requirement that a physical permit sticker be affixed to each sign structure, and adding a clarifying word to temporary‑sign setback language intended to reduce sight‑line conflicts on busy roadways. Those specific changes (identified in the package as sections 9.03(f), 9.04 and 9.393) were approved by unanimous vote.

Councilmembers and members of the public spent the most time debating a proposed requirement that certain metal/vinyl wall signs include a border frame and a restrictive color palette for that border; several downtown business owners and councilmembers said the requirement would not achieve a consistent downtown look given existing building variation. Councilwoman Warmoth said she was “in favor of the sign ordinance except for 9.29, which refers to the wall signs and adding the border to the metal signs.” She and others recommended addressing dilapidated or unsafe signs directly rather than mandating decorative borders.

Public comments focused on safety and anchoring. One resident raised structural concerns, noting that adding a border increases sign weight and would require robust anchoring: “Galvanized screws rust. You’d have to use stainless,” the speaker told council, urging staff to add anchoring standards if the border requirement returns. Another resident said inflatables — the “wiggle‑man” inflatables and rooftop blowups — have come loose in storms and can create hazards; staff said the draft language would require secure anchoring for inflatables and would treat rooftop installations differently from residential holiday decorations.

After discussion, the council directed staff and planning to revisit the proposed wall‑sign border language, anchoring specifications, and rules for rooftop inflatables. The council approved the less contentious changes tonight and asked staff to return with revised language on borders and inflatables for additional public review.

Council asked for clearer enforcement language related to signs in disrepair and for code enforcement and planning staff to propose a streamlined definition and compliance timetable so businesses are given notice before enforcement action.","Council approved increases to sign‑review fees, removed a physical sticker requirement and tightened temporary sign setbacks, but deferred contentious provisions on wall‑sign borders and rooftop inflatables for additional review by planning staff.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6280816,"Villa Rica delays Board of Ethics appointments after council cites process, ordinance gaps",976,2184000,3160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785&start=2184&end=3160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785/thumbnail_2184000.jpg","/articles/6280816/Villa-Rica/Carroll-County/Georgia/Villa-Rica-delays-Board-of-Ethics-appointments-after-council-cites-process-ordinance-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280816-fe77ff644b6317535cc0104b17999179/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049049&Signature=ooZYYXgMarwk0pWVX~c6zM4VkRxrd7aOwLPgAA-rGqJW8mrrNPE68FeCDYvE1SdxNO9EoF3sO~mD6~SdgOjf4q~rzs~fmLF26tbBf82ngr5--PbwiOGj6B5NuGEHSyF58TZ7ce7jUmRiNLVGJ7Kt0GRJSLnI33d0x6kgp84LHCOGvAZFGm3tEIEXqwwwHwNsFcF9hg~4fpPB-33x3uA4jX3G3tr5yLWuLpjdViTHM~LZi3uFBWA-1PKjpw5RrMs-ZbgonnzNHG71UR~xMMKlVogV53OWBTqQGJb8eROTHqtyNqu~V1IipMoZ5Q41nPcwdFn-Uu4aubX8r9BGyxxPrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Villa Rica City Council on March 11 postponed finalizing appointments to the newly reconstituted Board of Ethics after councilmembers said they had not received full application materials and raised questions about the ethics ordinance.

Mayor Leslie McPherson announced three nominations for the board, including Herschel Barth (Mayor’s appointment), Luz Morales (council appointment) and Connie Flowers (mayoral recommendation for council approval). Several councilmembers said they had not seen application materials until late in the day; staff confirmed an application for one candidate was emailed to council at about 3:30 p.m. the afternoon of the meeting. Council members requested more time to interview candidates and review applications.

Council also flagged substantive gaps in the city’s ethics ordinance: the ordinance lacks specified term lengths for members, has no clear background‑check requirement for board service and had not been updated or used in many years. Councilmember comments referenced a pending ethics complaint that must be processed under the current ordinance, limiting how retroactive changes could apply.

To ensure a majority on the board and permit completion of the pending complaint process, the council voted unanimously to table the remaining appointment(s) and asked the mayor to withdraw the recommendation for one slot and resubmit it at the April meeting after members have had time to review applications. Staff told council that applications had been received earlier but, by practice, were sent to council when a formal referral was made; staff also said the city previously attached applications to agenda packets but has since changed that practice for privacy reasons.

Councilmembers suggested changes to the ordinance ahead of future appointments, including specifying terms (several members recommended a one‑year, calendar‑year term to finish 2025), and adding a background‑check provision for ethics board members. Staff and the city attorney noted that any ordinance changes would apply prospectively and would not alter the processing of an already filed complaint.

Council directed staff to return in April with candidate materials, clarified procedures for distributing applications, and to place the ethics‑ordinance review on a future work session so council can refine language and process before additional appointments are confirmed.","Mayor named three Ethics Board candidates but councilmembers expressed concern about missing application packets, inconsistent notice and an unresolved complaint under the current ethics ordinance. Council agreed to withdraw one recommendation and table appointments until April.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6280821,"Villa Rica tables proposed stop signs at Eleanor Walk; council seeks one‑way study to ease school traffic",2941,899000,3840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785&start=899&end=3840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610814-22c1dfee43a02a4e0eaabef592458785/thumbnail_899000.jpg","/articles/6280821/Villa-Rica/Carroll-County/Georgia/Villa-Rica-tables-proposed-stop-signs-at-Eleanor-Walk-council-seeks-oneway-study-to-ease-school-traffic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280821-fd5a9f7efdcedc5981ff969394a83080/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049049&Signature=Neup9s7atn47kALkrRn6D~~pVDosypaBndhq~UDbLZGzc6QpLxhCLBklYoBHrihXp8LYD9kyvPBhuWPCgZ9QvDG7oFWrGNbsc0Pfcw-fXVAbHt9bOPtOJfq6GIsD-XWYjkWu0hBoJeIFvusONQcD4IUxzrLY~69KxPaXvIx~cdDNa-x101c97g-Hhux2zC9UnGbEP1zJMIuRQSeM0~-sJQPuzumA5cEPR6Ui6Qyh8YzcoQ1in5M9XpVRkkPhJhS6d7vwXQ85JtZMToxDdXyshq2Y2vQ4oNi84NjInAa2dJNezPd3iokL1pTdYTIsvGD7GvWMu7WVo0N6gysYIZ62wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Villa Rica City Council on March 11 tabled a proposal to install stop signs at Thomas Dorsey Drive and Eleanor Walk and asked staff to return in April with a public‑notice plan tied to a possible one‑way conversion for Eleanor Walk.

Councilmembers and public works staff said a speed study showed calming measures were not fully warranted but that school traffic and vehicle stacking during drop‑off remained a safety concern. Public Works staff described a recommended approach discussed with Carroll County Schools that would pair a stop sign with making Eleanor Walk one‑way to prevent vehicles staging on Eleanor Walk from backing into Highway 78 at peak times.

The matter drew public comment and questions from several council members. A resident who identified himself as Dennis Brown pressed council about East Side growth and road capacity, saying the city has “over $700,000 in your restricted budget for a project called the Connors Road Pass A Park” and that traffic on Punkintown Road and nearby arteries already is worsening as new subdivisions are built. Brown and other speakers said residents have not seen clear, accessible information about road improvements tied to recent growth.

At the council table, Councilwoman Warmoth said she supported traffic calming but would not approve stop signs without a firm plan to make Eleanor Walk one‑way. “If we’re not able to add in here a stipulation of with a one way, I’m not comfortable approving the stop signs,” she said during the discussion. Public Works staff described meetings on site with Carroll County School transportation and safety personnel; the group concluded the one‑way conversion would likely eliminate the most dangerous stacking and cut‑through behavior at school arrival and dismissal times.

Council also requested greater police enforcement during school hours if signage is installed, citing officer reports and school staff observations that drivers frequently fail to stop and sometimes drive on the wrong side of narrow blocks to pass queued cars. Members noted that making Eleanor Walk one‑way requires public notice and a formal process; absent that, several council members argued it would be premature to adopt stop signs alone.

The council voted unanimously to table the stop‑sign item until the April regular meeting so staff can prepare required notice and a linked one‑way proposal for public hearing and review.

The council and staff said they will present a clearer timeline and public information when the item returns in April; in the meantime staff said traffic and safety documentation will be posted when available.","Council members and staff debated adding stop signs at Thomas Dorsey Drive and Eleanor Walk and a broader East Side traffic plan. Council voted unanimously to table the stop‑sign vote to April, while staff and school officials recommended pursuing a one‑way configuration to prevent backups onto Highway 78.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves alcohol licenses for corner store and new restaurant; attorney warns about sales to minors

Council approves limited sign‑ordinance changes, sends aesthetic and 'inflatable' rules back to planning

Villa Rica delays Board of Ethics appointments after council cites process, ordinance gaps

Villa Rica tables proposed stop signs at Eleanor Walk; council seeks one‑way study to ease school traffic