Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Entertainment Districts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council creates two community entertainment districts in Westerville; clerk will coordinate liquor-permit process
Summary
Ordinances establishing the Uptown and Westar Community Entertainment Districts passed unanimously. Staff said creating a CED does not change zoning; liquor-permit applicants must apply to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control and the local board of elections will determine wet/dry status for contested areas.
Westerville City Council on Tuesday approved two ordinances creating community entertainment districts (CEDs): the Uptown Entertainment District and the Westar Entertainment District.
Under state law, the city’s creation of a CED enables up to specified numbers of special liquor permits within a defined district (eight permits in the proposed Uptown district and up to the statutory limit of 15 permits in the Westar district). Council staff explained the city’s role is administrative: after creating a CED, applicants apply to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for the appropriate D-5J special permit for a community entertainment district. The clerk of council, economic development staff and legal counsel will coordinate to determine eligibility and availability and to submit applications to the state.
Staff reiterated that establishing a CED does not change zoning, land-use regulation, permit requirements, setbacks, or other development-review processes. In response to concerns raised during the public hearing about development, traffic and noise, staff noted the city’s 2024 traffic study guided roadway design for the Westar area and pointed to the city noise-control ordinance in chapter 518 for enforcement. Staff also provided contact numbers for noise complaints and code enforcement.
A council member asked whether the city receives tax revenue from alcohol sales; staff replied that state Spiritus liquor receipts fund JobsOhio (a state economic development program) and clarified that those Spiritus receipts—not beer or wine sales—are the source referenced.
Both ordinances passed by unanimous roll call. Councilors voting yes were Mayor Kenneth L. Wright, Dr. Coombs, Mr. Glasgow, Mr. Grimes, Mr. Washburn and Vice Chair Reemschneider.
