Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dora Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge caution on DORA hours and park inclusion
Summary
Public commenters at the June 22 council hearing supported the DORA concept but urged cautious hours and raised concerns about unaccompanied minors and park inclusion; one resident suggested phased hours such as 5 p.m. weekdays to reduce overlap with school dismissal.
During the public hearing on the downtown DORA, several residents said they support the concept but urged the council to set conservative initial hours and monitor effects closely.
Megan Naboe said she is "generally supportive of the DORA concept" but asked the council to "carefully consider" the proposed hours, which she said were noon to midnight in the material she reviewed. She added that the downtown hub "has a lot of unaccompanied minors, especially in the afternoon hours" and suggested a phased approach such as 5 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and more permissive weekend hours.
Other speakers echoed calls for close monitoring. Anne Beeman asked whether Parks had approved alcohol in the park portion of the proposed district and was told park use for alcohol would require Parks department approval and appropriate permitting. Richard England, a 65-year resident, said plainly, "I'm against Adora," expressing concern about impacts on churches, the park and other downtown uses.
Council members responded that hours may be set administratively and adjusted if problems are observed, and several suggested enhanced police oversight during initial rollout. The council also noted that property owners could opt out by prohibiting open containers on their premises with signage, and staff said the administration would notify the state liquor board and coordinate with permit holders.
