Nolensville amends retail-liquor rules, moves distance language and sets Jan. 12, 2026 effective date

The Nolensville Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 4 to adopt amendments to Ordinance 25-32 that reorganize distance and separation requirements for retail liquor stores.

At second reading staff walked the board through a set of discrete amendments that remove duplicative narrative from section 8-3-10, repeal section 8-3-15, and reinsert the separation language into a single section of the ordinance. Staff recommended an effective date of Jan. 12, 2026; the board approved that effective date as part of the amendments.

Chuck, the staff member who presented the changes, said the intent was to align the municipal code’s retail-liquor definitions with zoning labels and avoid redundant language. "We're suggesting that you basically delete that portion from 8-3-10 and repeal in its entirety section 8-3-15 and replace same with the narrative as presented in the agenda package," Chuck said.

A commissioner who supported the amendment described the change as serving the town’s "common good" and said input from staff and outside studies informed the decision. "Can someone give me a reason why we need to be in the business of picking winners and losers?" the commissioner said, adding that he would nonetheless vote for the amended ordinance.

After discussion the board voted to adopt Ordinance 25-32 as amended. The action was taken at second reading and the ordinance will take effect Jan. 12, 2026.

The meeting packet includes the text of the amended ordinance and the council discussed the specific sections and effective date during the public meeting. No recorded dissents were made during the vote.