Commissioners hear public push to remove park buffer in alcohol ordinance; item tabled to Jan. 21

Harris County commissioners on Jan. 7 heard more than a dozen public comments urging the board to remove a 200-yard distance restriction tied to “public recreation area” from the county’s alcohol ordinance; the board deferred the item for further review and put it on the Jan. 21 meeting agenda.

Supporters said removing the park buffer would allow more business opportunities along planned rails-to-trails and Linear Park corridors and would align county rules with state law and neighboring jurisdictions. The county attorney told commissioners that state law sets distance rules only for schools, churches, certain housing authority properties and treatment centers, and that local governments may adopt stricter rules if they choose.

The issue drew multiple business owners and residents to the…