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Council reconsiders DORA hours and signage as city re-files state exhibits
Summary
Terre Haute legal staff refiled exhibits for the city’s designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA); councilmembers pressed for clearer weekday hours, signage rules and whether special events or certain businesses should be included, and asked administration to return with amendments in January.
Terre Haute — City Legal asked the council to reapprove the city’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area ordinance on Thursday after state reviewers flagged missing exhibits.
Michael Wright (Terre Haute City Legal) said the packet now includes maps and signage examples missing from the original submission to the Indiana State Excise Department. “What you have before you tonight … includes all those corrected documentation,” Wright said.
Councilmembers raised operational concerns during debate. Councilperson Azar said the proposed DORA hours were “a little confusing” and worried that Thursday and Friday start times at 5 p.m. could conflict with businesses that open earlier. He also asked if the responsibility for marked cups would fall to business owners; Wright said businesses would be responsible and suggested a sticker system so owners need not buy specialized cups.
On special events, councilmembers asked whether tents or homecoming‑type setups inside the DORA would be treated differently; Wright said the statute does not prohibit such arrangements but that excise officers could answer event‑specific permit questions.
Council members also noted inconsistencies between the ordinance’s list of participating businesses and the map in the exhibits; Wright said the map was intentionally inclusive so businesses could join later and that administrative permits would handle additions and removals. The council agreed it would accept proposed amendments and told staff to return with revised language in January if needed.
The matter was moved forward for council action on the agenda; staff said that if no action were taken tonight the ordinance would automatically roll to the January meeting for final consideration.
