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Council expands Old Town DORA boundary and hours after public hearing
Summary
Canal Winchester approved a resolution expanding the Old Town designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) north along High Street, adding about 2.04 acres and extending start time from 11 a.m. to 9 a.m.; one resident spoke in opposition citing trash, patrol and railroad safety concerns.
Canal Winchester City Council approved a resolution (25‑014) to expand the Old Town designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) and to lengthen daily hours of operation, after a public hearing and staff presentation.
Planning and downtown staff described the proposed boundary change at a public hearing on April 7. Staff said the existing DORA is about 21.6 acres and the proposed expansion adds approximately 2.04 acres to the north along High Street — covering the High Street right‑of‑way from Mound Street north to the railroad tracks and encompassing the historic district complex at High and Oak. Staff also proposed an earlier start to DORA hours, expanding permitted consumption from the current 11 a.m.–11 p.m. to 9 a.m.–11 p.m., seven days a week. Staff said the expansion would require additional signage and minor changes to trash‑can placement so people reaching the DORA boundary could properly dispose of cups.
Mary Nordstrom, a resident who lives across from the historic schoolhouse, opposed the expansion as drafted. “I do not believe it is in the best interest of the community to invite open consumption of alcohol at the historical complex from ... 9AM until 11PM every day of the week,” she told council, and she urged clearer details on police patrols, trash pickup, and safety near the railroad tracks.
Staff responded to questions from council. Planning staff said there are already eight qualifying liquor permit holders within the expanded area, the proposed expansion keeps the DORA well under the statutory maximum size (320 acres was mentioned in staff remarks as the regulatory cap) and that state statute requires that council review DORA boundaries at least once every five years. Staff said that earlier objections about service cups and trash at the DORA had been addressed through outreach to permit holders and that the city has not experienced a persistent trash problem with the existing DORA footprint.
Council called for modest operational steps — including relocation or addition of trash receptacles and education for permit holders — and then moved adoption of the resolution. The resolution passed on roll call; one councilmember recorded an abstention.
Next steps: staff will add the boundary signage and make the operational adjustments discussed by council. Council may revisit DORA rules or boundaries in the periodic five‑year review required by statute.
