Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alcohol Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montgomery council adopts 90‑day moratorium on off‑premise package liquor licenses
Summary
After debate about density and enforcement limits, council amended a proposed six‑month moratorium to 90 days and limited it to off‑premise/package liquor stores; the amendment and resolution were adopted unanimously as amended.
The Montgomery City Council on Nov. 4 adopted a 90‑day moratorium on issuing off‑premise package liquor (class 1 and 2 package) licenses, after amending an initial proposal that would have imposed a six‑month pause.
Council discussion focused on density of package stores, differences between ABC (state) stores and private package stores, and how hours of operation and late-night availability differ. Council members said a shorter, targeted moratorium would give staff time to study store density, hours of operation, and appropriate local responses without unintentionally blocking on‑premise or licensed ABC operations.
Council members said the 90‑day period will be used to compile data on the number and operating hours of package stores, evaluate clustering in neighborhoods and consider policy options to address density. One council member asked whether ABC stores would be counted; the answer from staff was that the moratorium targets private package stores, not the ABC state stores.
The council voted to adopt the amendment (reducing duration to 90 days and excluding on‑premise lounge licenses) and then adopted the resolution as amended.
What happens next: Staff will conduct the directed study during the 90‑day period and report findings to council. The moratorium pauses new off‑premise package license approvals while that work continues.
