Oconee County approves text amendments to alcohol ordinance on second reading

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 4 approved text amendments to the county alcohol beverage ordinance during the meeting’s second reading. County planning staff said the changes alter the definition of “restaurant” by adjusting minimum off-street parking and patron-seat thresholds to align with the Unified Development Code.

County planning staff told commissioners the amendments change the definition to require a minimum amount of off-street parking for certain restaurants and adjust the patron-seat threshold in another clause. After the second reading, a commissioner moved to approve the text amendments "as submitted," the motion was seconded and the board voted "Aye." The board recorded the motion as carried.

The measure was presented as a text amendment (second reading) rather than an ordinance adoption item requiring further action. Planning staff said they were available to answer questions but no members of the public spoke on the item during the hearing.

The board’s action updates local zoning definitions used to determine when restaurants qualify for particular licensing or land-use treatments, staff said. The amendments will be reflected in the county code following the required administrative steps.

The board then moved on to zoning hearings and other agenda items.