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Council approves Unified Development Code changes on retail liquor after debate over distance and square-foot limits
Summary
The Shreveport City Council approved Ordinance 25 on April 7, 2025, to change the Unified Development Code rules governing retail sales of liquor, after debate focused on distance and square-footage provisions and a decision to treat beer-and-wine convenience stores as a special-use permit.
The Shreveport City Council approved Ordinance 25 on April 7, 2025, amending provisions of the Unified Development Code (UDC) related to retail sales of liquor after members debated distance and square-footage limits designed to limit small liquor outlets in neighborhoods while preserving large retailers' development opportunities.
Council members said the primary goal of the amendment is to prevent proliferation of small liquor stores in residential areas while avoiding collateral effects on major retailers. Councilman Butcher moved a substitute motion to approve the ordinance “as written,” seconded by Councilman Jackson; the motion passed unanimously by a 7-0 vote.
The discussion focused on two technical points: how to measure separation distances (some members noted a concern that a rule written in terms of “a square mile” would translate into roughly 2,600 feet in each direction and could bar large-format grocers) and whether to treat convenience stores selling beer and wine as a use-by-right or a special-use permit. Council members and staff agreed to pursue a follow-up amendment to refine square-footage or distance thresholds so the rule does not unintentionally block big-box retailers.
Councilman Jackson asked staff whether any liquor-store applications were pending. Mr. Clark responded, “I'm not aware of any right now,” and later staff said Total Wines was moving forward and no other pending retail liquor applications were known.
City staff described the convenience-store change as a shift from a use-by-right to a special-use permit for beer and wine sales so locations would require a public hearing, which councilmembers said restores community input over certain retail alcohol uses.
Council members said they would start work immediately on a narrow amendment to clarify square-footage and distance exceptions for larger retailers while keeping the ordinance's intent to curb small, neighborhood liquor outlets.
Ending: Ordinance 25 was approved by roll call (7-0). Council members asked planning staff to draft a technical amendment on measurement and square footage for a near-term follow-up so the ordinance's restrictions do not unintentionally exclude larger retailers.
