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Gallatin council hears hours-long public debate before approving first reading to remove 1-mile spacing for retail liquor stores
Summary
After more than two hours of public comment, the Gallatin City Council approved first reading of an ordinance that would delete the municipal 1-mile distance requirement between retail liquor stores. The item drew dozens of citizens and lengthy council discussion about neighborhood impacts, historic license values and addiction concerns.
The Gallatin City Council on Sept. 2 approved on first reading Ordinance O-02509-46, which would delete the municipal distance requirement in Gallatin Municipal Code section 3.55 that currently separates retail liquor stores by a Bridal mile, moving the change to second reading for final action.
The measure drew an extended public-comment period in which residents, small-business owners and clergy urged both sides: some said closer liquor stores would improve neighborhood convenience and support small-business expansion, while others warned the change would degrade community character, reduce the value of existing licenses and increase temptation for people recovering from addiction.
Supporters of relaxing the distance requirement included small-business owners such as Cam Patel (citizen), who said neighborhoods…
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