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Lebanon adopts limited DORA for downtown despite concerns about family environment; ordinance limits one open container per person
Summary
After extensive public testimony for and against, the council approved a conservative DORA ordinance allowing one open container per person in a defined downtown area during set hours; proponents cited increased foot traffic and economic benefit, opponents warned about youth impacts and visible drinking.
On Dec. 8 the Lebanon City Council approved ordinance 2025‑41 to establish a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) for a defined downtown boundary. The ordinance, read in full by the city attorney, creates a Lebanon Downtown DORA with proposed hours (Thursday–Friday 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Saturday noon–10 p.m.), signage and a list of initial participating permittees. While Indiana law allows two open containers, the council’s ordinance is more restrictive and permits just one open alcoholic beverage per person at a time inside the DORA.
Supporters — including downtown business owners and Heart of Lebanon — told the council they expect the DORA to increase pedestrian traffic, lengthen customer visits and bring money to multiple businesses. Brady Martin, general manager of 1830 Chophouse, cited Lafayette’s experience and said a DORA "extends the time spent in the district by about 30 to 60 minutes per guest" and reported a 22% profit increase at one Lafayette business. Sean Kim (Boone County Cake Company) said the local proposal is conservative and structured to preserve a family‑friendly downtown: "This is structure. This is traceability, and it's protecting downtown's values and the environment that we hold dear."
Opponents raised concerns about the downtown’s family atmosphere and the possibility that visible drinking would exclude youth. Russell Roberts, a longtime resident, said the square is public property and asked whether special access or exclusion might follow, cautioning about the example set for younger residents.
Council members questioned organizers about participant permits, insurance and trash management. Missy Krulik reported a Boone County Solid Waste District grant would subsidize cups and staff explained permit application and oversight processes, including involvement of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Proponents and council members said participating businesses must meet liability and training requirements; attorneys and business owners confirmed permittees typically carry high‑limit liability policies.
After deliberation and several council members recounting site visits to other cities’ DORAs, the council voted to adopt the ordinance 5–1. Supporters said the pilot would be closely monitored and revoked if problems emerged.
