The establishment of the downtown “entertainment district” was first televised at Magnolia City Council on Monday.
Click PDF to read the full ordinance.
If the council passes the proposal after hearing the ordinance at its meeting in February and possibly March, patrons of restaurants within the district would be allowed to consume alcoholic beverages outdoors within the boundaries of the district. increase.
The proposed district comprises Magnolia Square and selected parts of neighboring streets. Please refer to the map accompanying this article and note the blue shaded areas that are proposed entertainment zones.
The ordinance is ten pages long, but it boils down to the following points:
People are allowed to drink and drink alcoholic beverages outdoors within the District from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm. may be done.
No outside drinks are allowed after 10pm, but the legal indoor closing time remains at 2am.
Beverages must be sold to people by restaurants within the district that have the proper license to sell alcohol. Vendors serve drinks to customers in specially branded cups and wear approved wristbands.
A person could only have one drink at a time. Beverages are only permitted in cups, no bottles or containers bearing the brand name of the beverage.
Alcohol consumption outside the district is prohibited. Signs marking district boundaries are provided by the city. Waste and recycling bins are located at district boundaries and high-traffic areas.
Businesses within the District, including those that are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages, can demonstrate their participation in the District by displaying appropriate window signs. It is assumed that customers who have alcoholic beverages have agreed to enter.
During the discussion of the ordinance, council members fined anyone who violated a provision of the ordinance a minimum of $150.
Mayor Parnell Ban said the city will provide video cameras and additional lighting to the entertainment district.
Members of Congress also discussed whether to pass the ordinance with an “emergency clause” that would have the effect of enacting the ordinance immediately after it is passed.
Ellie Baker, who is proposing the ordinance as head of the city’s Department of Economic Development, said the emergency provisions to ensure the entertainment district would be operational by the May 19-20 Magnolia Blossom Festival. We hope. Placing the ordinance on three separate readings on the standard could mean it won’t go into effect until late April.
City Attorney Joel Hutchinson has expressed displeasure with using the Emergency Clause for matters unrelated to public health and safety.
The council left the emergency clause pending.
Baker said the creation of the district sees the future of Magnolia Square as an entertainment venue.
“This is not what we have today because it could bring more offerings to our town,” Baker said.
Baker told magnoliareporter.com after the conference that having an entertainment district is essential to making the most of the new Square Park and its Albemarle Stage evening events.
Citizens wishing to comment on the ordinance to the council can contact the Mayor’s Office at 870-234-1375 to ask for a location on the agenda for the meeting on Monday, Feb. 27. The council welcomes participation in the agenda. Allow individuals up to 5 minutes to comment when asked.
