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Harris County commissioners deny change to alcohol ordinance that would remove 'public recreation area' distance rule
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment both for and against, the Harris County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a proposed amendment that would have removed the ordinance language referencing "public recreation area" and its associated distance restriction for alcohol sales.
The Harris County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday rejected a proposed change to the county's alcohol ordinance that would have removed the phrase "public recreation area" and the distance restriction tied to it, after public comment and commission discussion.
The proposed amendment would have eliminated the ordinance provision that effectively extended a 200-yard distance restriction from certain recreation sites; landowners and business advocates argued the change would align the county code with state law and open more options for commercial development. Dottie Moss, the property owner at the center of the request, and other supporters said the change was countywide and would not permit liquor stores near parks.
The debate drew more than three dozen residents and business owners to the podium in a lengthy public comment period. Opponents said removing the language would put alcohol sales closer to playgrounds, ballfields and walking trails and risked public…
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