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Denham Springs council backs short ordinance change to clarify alcohol-distance rule after extended debate over 'church' definition
Summary
After lengthy discussion triggered by a local creamery that has hosted religious gatherings, the Denham Springs City Council voted to authorize staff to draft a one-sentence change to Section 10-102 to mirror state language about buildings "used exclusively as a church," then return it for public hearing and vote.
The Denham Springs City Council on Jan. 27 voted to ask staff to draft a narrow change to Section 10-102 of the city code to mirror state language about buildings "used exclusively as a church," after more than an hour of discussion about how the current ordinance affects businesses that also host religious activity.
Council members debated whether the city should keep a higher local standard that bars alcohol-serving businesses from locating within 300 feet of a church or instead adopt the state formulation that measures distance to a building "used exclusively as a church." Proponents said the change would resolve an immediate licensing dispute involving a business called the Mustard Seed Creamery; opponents warned it could have wider…
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