The first step was taken by the Richmond Hill City Council Wednesday to broadening the locations where alcohol can be consumed during approved events.
City Manager Mike Melton said the proposed changes have come to the table stemming from multiple requests regarding local outdoor events, such as birthday parties and social gatherings.
The city’s alcohol ordinance currently only allows alcohol to be served indoors, with the exception of approved events at J.F. Gregory Park or events professionally catered at an outdoor café or golf course. It was proposed that this be amended to allow alcohol be served at any outdoor event – as long as that particular event receives approval from council to do so. The event can not be within 600 feet of a school, church or childcare facility.
After some discussion, the stipulations were added that the person making the request must submit the expected number of patrons and must be the one pouring the alcohol. Also, city attorney Ray Smith said council has the right to say if an event has to be professionally catered or not.
In essence, if passed, this will allow alcohol to be legally served in small outdoor gatherings without having to hire a caterer. Also, it leaves room for restaurants to serve in an outdoor setting during special events. Each event must be approved on a case-by-case basis by council.
Another alteration to the alcohol ordinance was proposed for spirits to be allowed at approved J.F. Gregory Park events. Currently, only beer and wine are permitted.
The measures are slated for a vote at the next council meeting.
In other business:
- It was announced that Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant is on its way to the new Kroger plaza.
- Council approved the request of Scott Stafford to allow him to tap into the city sewer and water system for his forthcoming industrial park. The park will be located at the large vacant site that was just cleared on Hwy. 17, near Daniel Siding Road.
Melton said a nearly mile long pipe would need to be installed from Sgt. Michael W. Larson Drive to the site.
Melton said the site will only utilize water equivalent to eight homes, but the city will pay the difference for a larger pipe to be installed because they have plans of their own for that vicinity. Just behind Stafford’s industrial park is the 1,100 acres outlined for developer Lamar Smith’s approved Richmond Reserve project, which is slated to include 2,200 homes.
- Teresa Dilmore was sworn in as the newest Board of Director to the Richmond Hill Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Dilmore, who was approved as a nominee at the last council meeting, has an extensive background in event planning. With her induction, the CVB now has a full board. She joins Chairman Keith Page as well as fellow members Doug Goolsby, Kenny Patel, Brandy Williams and Jody McIntyre.
- Four additional police cars were approved, to be leased for $130,000.