title
ALCOHOL EVENT PERMITS (B)
Ordinance No. 130695
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the City Code of Ordinances related to the sale, dispensing, consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages; by amending Section 2-339; by amending Section 4-1; by deleting the existing Section 4-4 in its entirety and creating a new Section 4-4; by amending Appendix A. Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges to provide for alcohol event permit fees; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date
...recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.
explanation
The issue of allowing outdoor events and concerts on City owned parking lots, along with the outdoor sales and consumption of alcohol in downtown Gainesville, was brought before the City Commission in February 2012 and was referred to the Public Safety Committee for discussion and recommendations. The related issue of special permits for the "extension of boundaries" by alcoholic beverage establishments which would allow the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol on the establishments' property was brought before the City Commission in September 2012 and was also referred to the Public Safety Committee for discussion and recommendations.
During several meetings, the Public Safety Committee heard comments from citizens, businesses and staff pertaining to alcohol events and permits and discussed the public safety issues at length. In its report back to the City Commission, the Public Safety Committee recommended the City Commission amend the ordinances pertaining to the issuance of special permits for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages within the City of Gainesville to address many of the issues raised and considered.
On March 21, 2013 the City Commission directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance addressing the issuance of special event permits or boundary extension permits for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol on city and private property. Staff from several City Departments met to discuss how best to craft an ordinance that would address the multiple issues involved with the direction provided by the City Commission. The draft code revisions were provided to and input was received from interested community stakeholders. On December 5, 2013, the City Commission received an update from staff and authorized the City Attorney to draft an ordinance.
This ordinance attempts to provide a comprehensive approach to temporary "special event" sales of alcohol and consolidates all related code provisions in one section of the City Code of Ordinances. Given that Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances is devoted to alcoholic beverage issues, it was felt that all related issues should be moved to Chapter 4. Another ordinance (Ordinance No. 130058) removing redundant provisions from the Land Development Code will be scheduled for first reading when this ordinance is heard on second reading. The Land Development Code will continue to regulate the use of property that involves the permanent sale of alcoholic beverages.
This ordinance requires two readings.