Cocke County commissioners reject proposal to shorten alcohol-vendor distance rule

Cocke County Board of Commissioners voted down a motion to reduce the county's minimum required distance between alcohol retailers and places of worship from 1,500 feet to 500 feet after public comment and presentations at the commission meeting. The motion, moved by Commissioner Andy Ford and seconded by a colleague, failed on a roll-call vote (result read as "8 nos, 2 absences").

Owners of Del Rio Pizzeria, Bobby and Julia Sales, told commissioners they hold a license that allows the sale of some alcoholic products but said the distance requirement prevents them from selling the types of beer they want to offer. "We currently have a beer license, but we're unable to sell in the store. We can sell liquor in the store, but we can't sell beer," Julia Sales said. She said the restaurant wants only to sell beer with pizza and wings, not operate as a bar.

Members of the county beer board urged commissioners to change the rule to allow more local business activity. Eric Maness, introduced at the meeting as the beer-board chair, described the rule as limiting investment, and other presenters argued shortened distances would increase sales-tax revenue and allow stores and restaurants to locate in the county. One speaker referenced the national-era Volstead Act to make a historical point about alcohol regulation.

Commission debate reflected competing priorities. Supporters of the change said the current rule has driven some prospective businesses to locate outside the county and reduces potential sales-tax revenue. Opponents said the distance rule protects houses of worship and preserves community standards; several commissioners described cultural and public-safety concerns during the discussion.

The motion to lower the required distance to 500 feet (moved by Commissioner Andy Ford; second by a commissioner identified at the meeting) was put to a roll-call vote and failed. Meeting minutes and the roll-call record show the vote outcome as eight no votes and two absences; four commissioners voted in favor.

Because the motion failed, the county's current local distance requirement remains in place. The owners of Del Rio Pizzeria spoke again after the vote to note the result and to record their request for reconsideration at a future meeting.

Votes at the meeting also included a number of items unrelated to the distance rule; those actions are summarized in the meeting's votes roundup.