Greendale planning commission forwards DORA conformity letter after members raise golf-cart safety concerns

The Greendale Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a letter stating that a proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) conforms to the city's comprehensive plan, and to authorize the commission president to sign and forward the letter to the state.

Commissioners reviewed a draft DORA ordinance and a color map showing boundaries centered on Brown Street and Cook Park and extending along Tiger Trail to the Lawrenceburg Greendale Soccer Club. A staff presenter said the state statute requires the commission to confirm that a DORA ordinance conforms to the city's plan before the council considers the ordinance.

Commissioner Linda Cromer raised safety concerns about a stretch of the proposed DORA between the Stellar Grant area and the Tiger Trail levee, saying golf-cart traffic could create hazards if people use carts to travel with alcohol. "My hope is that if something has been considered because that the traffic will be until somebody with a liquor license gets situated in that area...Outdoor drinking's going to be a golf cart, in my opinion," Cromer said. She asked that the ordinance explicitly exclude certain public streets or otherwise clarify how golf-cart movement and open containers would be handled.

Other members and staff responded that the DORA, as currently envisioned by Main Street, is intended primarily for special events where public rights-of-way might be temporarily closed, not for everyday drinking on sidewalks or trails. Commissioners discussed looking to Lawrenceburg's larger DORA for monitoring practices and whether vendor limits or event-only language should be added. The planner said vendors serving in park or event areas must be existing Greendale vendors listed in the ordinance unless added through a separate process; at present Buzzies and Half Moon are the listed vendors.

A motion to approve the letter of conformity and authorize the president to sign it passed unanimously. Commissioners said language clarifying exclusions or operational limits could be incorporated into the ordinance before it returns to council for consideration.

The commission did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting; the action was limited to confirming conformity with the comprehensive plan and forwarding the conformity letter to the state. The commission also asked staff to consider how to address golf-cart traffic and vendor limits in ordinance language and to consult with Lawrenceburg practices where appropriate.