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Upson County approves beer-and-wine package license for Sunnyside Country Store after debate over distance measurement
Summary
Upson County commissioners voted March 25 to grant a beer-and-wine package license to Sunnyside Country Store (Morning Group LLC) after staff verified the application met the county’s licensing criteria and measured the required separation from the nearest church.
The Upson County Board of Commissioners on March 25 approved a beer-and-wine package license for Sunnyside Country Store, operated by Morning Group LLC at 3108 Crest Highway, Thomaston.
County staff told the board the application was evaluated against seven criteria: a completed application and supporting documentation, proof of ownership or lease, a business license, a detailed floor plan, background/criminal-history compliance, payment of fees, verification that the location is at least 100 yards (300 feet) from the nearest school or church measured along the most direct line of travel by wheel, and a successful building inspection. Staff recommended approval after verifying the criteria.
Staff described the distance measurement method used by the county as “direct line of travel” conducted with a measuring wheel from the store door to the nearest property line of the church or school. County staff estimated the actual distance at about 395 feet, and noted that a three-foot ditch in the right-of-way was treated as an “obstacle” that alters the most-direct line-of-travel measurement.
Applicant representatives and community supporters — including a speaker who identified herself as a Sunnyside Country Store resident-owner and Leon Fowler, a deacon at Friendship Primitive Baptist Church — urged commissioners to approve the license and said the store serves the neighborhood. Opponents included Reverend Turner, who said the ordinance’s measurement method had been stretched to produce a favorable result and urged the board to change the ordinance to better protect churches and schools.
Commissioner Jones moved to approve the license. The vote was recorded as yes from Commissioner Watson, Chairman Brew, Commissioner Ellington, Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Beatty; the motion carried.
Several commissioners said they were uncomfortable with aspects of the county ordinance and suggested taking the issue up in a future work session to consider clarifying the measuring method and whether the ordinance needs updating. The board nonetheless approved the license based on staff’s verification that the application met county and state requirements.
