Council reviews draft DORA application; administrator expects July implementation if approved

Fairport Harbor Village Council reviewed a draft Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) application and discussed the public-notice and approval steps required for adoption.

Lucas, the village administrator, told council members that the DORA application requires multiple public notices and that it is easier to make changes before the application is formally submitted. He said: "I would love for it to be done by July. Once Tim formally submits this to council and we go through all of the public notices, we can get the signs ordered and ready to be placed once council approves it." The administrator added that liquor control and the state Department of Public Safety would be notified after council approval and that those notifications are informational rather than approvals.

Council members were told the DORA process will include public hearings and sessions; the administrator also said he has received emails both in favor of and raising questions about the proposal and expects more public discussion. Justin Levine, a resident, asked about temporary liquor permits tied to concerts and festivals and whether an existing application should reflect whether a DORA is in place; the administrator advised applicants to proceed with their current submissions because there is not a DORA at the time of submission and to notify the village if circumstances change.

Council did not adopt the DORA at this meeting; the administrator estimated a two-to-three month process of notices and hearings after formal submission and said the DORA, once approved by council, likely would take effect immediately.