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Montgomery council debates sequencing, exemptions for event center liquor permits; moratorium proposed
Summary
City council members and staff discussed a cluster of draft ordinances that affect event centers, BYOB rules, catering, and liquor licensing procedures, with a councilmember proposing a six-month moratorium on new lounge licenses while the city reviews rules and district maps.
Montgomery City Council members spent a large portion of the Oct. 30 work session debating how the city should regulate alcohol for event centers, whether event operators must secure state liquor (ABC) approval before a city business license, and how BYOB and catering arrangements should be managed.
Council discussion centered on ambiguity in the current city code requiring event centers to “have alcohol” if they operate as event centers and on whether the process forces applicants to obtain a state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license before obtaining a city business license. Councilmembers and staff agreed the ordinance language is unclear and should be revised.
Why it matters: The sequencing of approvals affects whether an applicant spends money to obtain a state ABC license only to be denied local approval, or whether an applicant can open a venue and later be denied the right to sell alcohol. Council members said that uncertainty has allowed some venues to…
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