Sylvania businesses ask council to allow earlier DORA alcohol sales; council advances legislation

At a public hearing, Redbird Sylvania asked the Sylvania City Council to change the hours for DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) alcohol sales so businesses can open at 10 a.m. instead of noon. Council members voted to ask the administration to prepare legislation, with a formal vote scheduled after the required notice period.

Katie Fields, representing the applicant and local businesses at 55703 Main Street, said the requested change would “reflect our business hours so we don't have to look at the clock and tell our employees, no.” Fields told the council that Redbird Sylvania and other nearby businesses start serving customers at 10 a.m. on some days and that the current hours force staff to delay sales during downtown events such as “Rummage in the Village with Heritage Sylvania,” which begins at 10 a.m.

Chief Miller told the council she had not observed problems tied to the current DORA hours and said she did not anticipate issues from moving the start time earlier. A former chair who participated when the DORA footprint was last extended said the earlier survey responses showed strong community support at that time.

Procedural staff member Mrs. Kreining told the council that because rules have changed, the council must hold the public hearing now and then take formal legislative action at a subsequent meeting; she also noted a 14-day waiver/notice requirement applies before adoption. Following those comments, a council member moved to advance legislation and ask the administration to prepare an ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried with no recorded opposition.

The action taken at the hearing was to direct staff to draft legislation; no ordinance was adopted at the hearing. The council will consider the drafted legislation at its next meeting after completing any required notice or waiver process.