On Sept. 15 the City Commission approved an ordinance amending chapter 10 of the municipal code to limit the city’s 500‑foot restriction on alcohol sales so it applies only to church‑owned property and to allow the commission to waive the requirement when affected churches provide written consent.

Why it matters: The change is intended to allow restaurants or other lessees within 500 feet of a church (but not on church‑owned land) to apply for permission to sell alcoholic beverages when nearby churches do not object, and it preserves commission oversight of waiver requests.

Details and discussion

City Attorney Danielle (city attorney) explained the draft ordinance has two main elements: (1) the 500‑foot distance will apply to church‑owned property rather than any parcel with a church use within that radius; and (2) the restriction can be waived by the commission when the applicant submits written waivers or consents from the affected churches. She said staff can create an administrative waiver form and that the commission retains final authority — the change does not delegate discretion away from elected officials.

Commissioners asked about the mechanics and safeguards. They proposed requiring an explicit signatory and witness/notary block to limit the risk that a third party might present an invalid or informal church waiver. Danielle agreed to prepare a waiver form to return with the ordinance at second reading that will include a signature/witness/notary structure so the city can be confident an applicant has authority to bind the church.

Next steps

The commission approved the ordinance at the meeting (second‑read motion carried) and asked staff to draft a notarized waiver template and related administrative procedures for final adoption and implementation.

Ending

The change narrows where the 500‑foot restriction automatically applies and creates an administrative path to waiver when local churches explicitly consent; staff will bring a waiver form back to the commission for review.