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Waynesville council amends ordinance to allow controlled alcohol sales at recreation special events
Summary
The council approved an ordinance amendment enabling the sale and consumption of alcohol at town-managed recreation special events, subject to council-approved special event permits and valid state ABC permits; the change drew council questions about safeguards and one recorded opposition.
The Town of Waynesville council approved an amendment to the town's ordinance to allow the controlled sale and consumption of alcohol at events in areas managed by the recreation department, including parks, the armory and the recreation center, provided each event obtains council approval through a special-event permit and the vendor holds a state ABC permit.
A member of the recreation advisory commission told the council that the change was proposed to increase community participation in special events and to support local businesses. The presenter said Frog Level Brewing, a local business, offered to partner for the recreation center's 25th anniversary celebration by providing beer and producing a commemorative brew and that Frog Level had donated $1,000 toward the event.
The presenter said the ordinance amendment would not be a blanket approval of alcohol in town parks; each event would require an application and council approval and the ordinance would allow council to define times, dates and boundaries for alcohol-permitted areas. They added that vendors must carry a valid state ABC permit and that insurance and event-specific guidelines would be required. "This proposed amendment will allow the controlled sale and consumption of alcohol in parks and other managed areas," the presenter said.
Council members asked for minutes showing who on the Recreation Advisory Commission voted for the recommendation and confirmed that any specific event would return with a special-event permit, insurance coverage and required safety restrictions (designated areas, consumption limits, restrictions on children in alcohol service areas). The presenter said the advisory commission's vote appeared unanimous and that the rec department would require insurance and event guidelines.
The council voted to approve the ordinance amendment by voice vote; the motion passed with one council member opposed. The council directed staff to ensure special-event permit applications include ABC permit verification, insurance documentation and event-specific safety plans.
The amendment makes future events eligible for alcohol sales only after event-level approval and appropriate vendor licensing and insurance; it does not change any existing prohibition on unsanctioned alcohol use in parks outside approved, permitted events.
