Planning commission narrows proposed distilled-alcohol package sales to general commercial (C2)

The Jones County Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed a county-commission proposal to amend the Comprehensive Land Development Resolution by adding sections 73.3.138 and 73.2310 to allow distilled alcohol package sales as a conditional use. After discussion about appropriate zoning districts and local impacts, the commission voted to recommend that county commissioners allow distilled alcohol package sales as a conditional use only in the general commercial (C2) district and not in neighborhood commercial (C1) zones.

Staff explained the county-commission-led change would create a process for distilled-alcohol package-sales applications to come before the planning commission for location review and then to the Board of Commissioners for final action. "The motion of the commissioners made was to begin the process to allow it as a conditional use in the C1 and C2 districts," staff said, and the commission was asked to recommend whether that scope was appropriate. A staff speaker also explained the conditional-use approval carries a lapse provision: "If it ceases to operate for 60 days, then it goes away. That conditional use zoning goes away," which staff said would require a new application and review.

Commissioners expressed divergent views. One commissioner said neighborhood commercial areas are close to residences and asked whether such locations were appropriate for package sales. Board member Hal said during discussion, "I don't wanna see it at all ... I wouldn't vote on anything to expand the sale of beer, wine, liquor, or whatever in the county." Another commissioner argued the change would keep sales tax revenue in Jones County rather than in neighboring counties. Ultimately a motion by board member Steve to remove neighborhood commercial (C1) from the amendment and to leave the conditional use in general commercial (C2) was seconded and carried; the commission reported a 3–1 vote to forward that recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.

Staff noted the planning commission's action is a recommendation; county commissioners retain the final authority to adopt the zoning amendment and to set limits such as distance separations, hours, sign size and number of licenses. The commission's decision limits the zoning categories in which distilled-alcohol package sales would be considered as conditional uses pending the Board of Commissioners' action.