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Council approves temporary New Year’s Eve last-call extension for downtown businesses
Summary
The Lithonia council voted to allow downtown businesses a time-extension for New Year’s Eve alcohol service and closing (last call/close at 2:30 a.m.), a one-night exception approved by voice vote to align with neighboring jurisdictions.
The Lithonia City Council on Nov. 25 approved a one-night extension of alcohol service and closing hours for downtown businesses on New Year’s Eve, allowing last call and close at 2:30 a.m.
A downtown business owner urged the council to permit extended hours so local establishments could “compete with the other surrounding bars and communities,” saying New Year’s Eve falls on a Tuesday this year and that downtown operators seek parity for the holiday. After a motion to allow the extension was made and seconded, the council approved it by voice vote.
Council members framed the vote as a narrowly tailored, single-night accommodation and did not attach additional conditions in the motion. No individual roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes; the clerk announced the motion carried by the standard “all in favor/any opposed” voice procedure.
The extension applies only to businesses downtown for the Nov. 31/Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve period discussed and does not change regular ordinance hours on other dates. Council indicated staff would notify downtown businesses and coordinate enforcement details with local law enforcement ahead of the holiday.
