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Planning commission backs sending proposed DORA to council after boundary questions
Summary
The commission voted to forward support for a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) in South Clarksville to the town council; staff said the proposal aligns with the comprehensive plan and explained statutory limits on DORA ‘doors’ tied to municipal population, while residents urged extending the boundaries to the park and water.
The Planning Commission voted to send a recommendation supporting establishment of a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) in South Clarksville to the town council on Sept. 3, while members of the public pressed staff to consider extending the proposed boundary to include park space and the riverfront.
Planning staff read a memo saying the DORA proposal aligns with the town's comprehensive plan and the SCMU zoning goals for a live/work/play district. Staff cited the statute by number as given in the transcript: "Indiana code 71331," describing the authority that allows municipalities to create DORAs where people 21 and older may carry approved alcoholic beverages within a specified area. Staff also noted the DORA would need to be consistent with the town zoning ordinance.
During public comment commissioners and residents asked whether the southern boundary (the flood wall) should be moved to include the park or the water's edge so event-goers would not have to stop at the flood wall to continue into park spaces. "I would almost suggest going all the way to the water, edge of the water," one commissioner said during discussion. Staff said boundary lines in the proposal are initial and can be amended before the council vote.
A question about the number of DORA entrances prompted staff to cite the population-based limit mentioned in the memo and transcript; the commission noted Clarksville's population is under 50,000 and so the town will practically be limited to a single DORA under that reading. The commission voted in support of the DORA recommendation that will go to the town council for final action and any boundary changes.
