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Event-venue operator urges Coweta commissioners to amend 'brown bag' rule for private events
Summary
A prospective tenant for an event venue in Coweta told commissioners the county's 'brown bag' ordinance forces private-event organizers to hire outside caterers for alcohol service, adding significant cost and potentially driving business to other counties; the commission heard the concern during public comment but took no immediate action.
Lee Mezzador, who said he and his wife plan to operate an event facility at 55 Mill Royal Industrial Boulevard, asked Coweta County commissioners to amend the county's 'brown bag' ordinance so it exempts private events such as weddings and milestone celebrations.
Mezzador said the ordinance forces private-event hosts to contract with a brick-and-mortar restaurant for alcohol service, which can add $30–$50 per person in catering fees and materially increases the cost of hosting events. He warned that, without an amendment for private events, customers may choose venues in other counties where the economics are more favorable.
"So what they're gonna do is they're gonna go to another county," Mezzador said, describing how required catering pricing could push clients away. Gerald Mack, part-owner of the building and landlord to the prospective tenant, spoke in support and asked commissioners to strongly consider the request.
The comment was recorded during the public-comment portion of the meeting; no board action was taken at that time. Commissioners acknowledged the concern. The record does not show a staff report or proposed ordinance language during this session; any policy change would require follow-up staff work and formal agenda placement.
