Gadsden County planning workshop explores removing 1,000‑foot church setback for alcohol sales; no vote taken

The Gadsden County Planning Commission held a workshop on a proposed revision to the countyalcohol beverage ordinance that would remove the current 1,000‑foot restriction between churches and establishments that sell alcohol and reduce the required distance between alcohol vendors and public parks and schools from 1,000 feet to 500 feet. Chairwoman Bowie said the session was a workshop and that the commission "will have to reconvene to vote and pass it on to the county commission."

The proposal, presented by the principal planner, would also add definitions in the countyland development code for commercial establishment parking areas, "to‑go" containers and other terms, and would align the county code with state standards that allow certain restaurants to sell sealed to‑go alcohol if they meet criteria in Florida law. The principal planner explained that Florida law allows restaurants with at least 2,500 square feet of service area, the capacity to serve 150 patrons at one time and that derive at least 51% of gross food and beverage revenue from food to sell sealed to‑go alcoholic beverages.

The proposal…