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Woodland council introduces downtown entertainment‑zone ordinance, sets rules for event activations
Summary
The City Council introduced an ordinance Sept. 16 to authorize a downtown entertainment zone under state law, allowing participating ABC‑licensed businesses to sell alcohol for outdoor consumption during approved special events within a defined boundary and hours. Staff proposed a management plan, MOUs with participating businesses, age‑
The Woodland City Council on Sept. 16 introduced an ordinance authorizing a downtown entertainment zone that would permit open containers during city‑approved special events within a defined downtown boundary, subject to a management plan and state Alcoholic Beverage Control rules.
Amanda Poirier, the city's marketing and business relations specialist, told council that Senate Bill 969 (and prior pilots such as San Francisco under SB 76) authorized local entertainment zones and that the city would use a two‑phase approach: adopt an ordinance to establish the maximum boundary and hours, then activate the zone on a case‑by‑case basis for specific special events under a management plan filed with ABC.
Under the draft proposal staff showed the maximum entertainment‑zone boundary would cover the downtown core (map shown to council) and the ordinance would authorize open containers between 10 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. during approved events. Staff proposed requiring MOUs with participating ABC‑licensed businesses (breweries, wineries, bars and restaurants), an age‑verification and wristband process for large events, branded cup requirements to identify alcohol sold within the zone, security plans and increased insurance when activations occur.
Poirier said staff had discussed the idea at a Sept. 4 downtown business meeting and planned focused outreach with potentially participating establishments. Council members asked about inclusion of the courthouse area, possible public‑safety impacts, how one‑time ABC permits would interact with entertainment‑zone activations, and how the city would manage enforcement and insurance costs. Police and staff said the city could place limits on activations, require event security and deny or suspend activations if problems occur.
After discussion the council introduced the ordinance and passed a related resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into MOUs for participating businesses; the motion carried 4–0 with one abstention. Staff said the ordinance would return for a second reading Oct. 6 and, if adopted, would become effective 30 days after final passage. Poirier said staff would begin stakeholder meetings and that activation would be limited to events approved through the city's special‑events committee and permit process.
