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County shortens alcohol‑to‑school/church separation from 600 to 300 feet; small restaurateurs say change preserves licenses
Summary
The board voted to amend the county alcohol ordinance to make the separation distance for beer, wine and distilled spirits uniform at 300 feet (previously distilled spirits were subject to a 600‑foot separation in local practice). Small business owners said adopting 300 feet would allow them to obtain distilled‑spirit licenses; the board suspended rules and adopted the change the same evening.
Oconee County commissioners voted on Dec. 2 to amend the county alcohol ordinance so that separation distances for establishments selling beer, wine and distilled spirits are measured uniformly at 300 feet, rather than treating distilled‑spirit service differently at 600 feet in prior local practice.
County staff (Speaker 6) explained that the state legislature’s 2021 change allowed local governments to vary their measuring rules; in 2022 the county revised how distances are measured. The proposed amendment would specify 300 feet for all alcoholic beverage license types and clarify the county’s pedestrian‑route measurement methodology (front door to sidewalk/crosswalk routing), which staff say is a practical approach for licensing.
Several small‑business owners said the change mattered to their existing or pending liquor‑license applications. Martha Rodriguez (Speaker 21), who identified herself as an owner of Costa Alegre in Watkinsville, said the tighter 300‑foot standard would directly affect her family’s ability to operate and obtain full alcohol privileges. Ramon (Speaker 12), owner of Temez Barbecue, described applying for an alcohol license under prior guidance and said changes in requirements had delayed or limited his ability to obtain a distilled‑spirits license; he urged the board to adopt the amendment for small businesses.
The board voted to suspend rules and consider the amendment the same night; the motion to adopt the amendment passed by voice vote. Staff noted the amendment will affect pending renewals and that some license applicants will be eligible under the clarified measurement and uniform 300‑foot rule.
