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Council mulls easing alcohol restrictions
By Angie Anaya Borgedalen
Although a couple of councilmen expressed concern, the City Council appeared ready to tweak planning and zoning regulations that now restrict the sale of alcohol on city streets, sidewalks and other public property.
At the May 5 study session, city staff was directed by a majority of council members to draw up amendments to the ordinances to bring back to council in June for consideration. The two-part proposal would allow businesses to serve alcoholic beverages at tables on the sidewalk and allow groups, organizations and clubs — not individuals — to apply for temporary permits to serve alcohol on public property at special events.
City regulations now allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol in confined outdoor patios but not on the public sidewalks in front of the businesses.
Mayor Bob Steinkamp said he was in favor of the city adopting enabling legislation that would allow businesses to serve alcohol in public outdoor settings and to allow organizations to sell alcoholic beverages at special events.
“I think we should do it. You see them serving alcohol throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area — the Brookside and Plaza art fairs, Parkville and Gladstone festivals,” Steinkamp said. “This is simply a way to bring individuals from the community and outside the community in to experience Liberty.”
According to Steve Anderson, director of development, the city received comments from a number of organizations, including Historic Downtown Liberty Inc., Partnership for Community Growth and Development, Soroptimist International of Liberty, Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, requesting that the city consider revising its rules. Corbin Theatre has also expressed interest in the changes.
HDLI president Coni Hadden said HDLI approached the city about the issue because it would like to serve alcohol at fundraising events downtown.
Hadden said the group would likely seek permission to sell and serve alcohol at three or four events during the year, including the summertime Taste of Liberty and winter Take-the-Chill-Out barbecue.
Councilman Nick King said he had some misgivings about serving alcohol at events where children were present. Earlier King said he opposed the city enacting “social legislation” when the city was considering a smoking ban.
“I’ve had a number of people speak to me about alcohol being served around children,” King said. “Alcohol affects the body. People get inebriated and do and say stupid things. I get concerned that we could get in a situation that gets out of control.”
However, King said he did support allowing retail businesses and restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages at tables on the sidewalk.
Councilman Fred Foster said he wanted to make sure that nearby neighbors were notified if an organization acquired a permit.
City codes currently allow alcohol to be served on private property by organizations with a temporary license provided the event is not within 150 feet of a residence.
Steinkamp said the 150-foot distance could be problematic since some people live upstairs around the Square. There is also a house adjacent to Rotary Park at the corner of Franklin and Gallatin streets.
Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or aborgedalen@npgco.com.
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At the May 5 study session, city staff was directed by a majority of council members to draw up amendments to the ordinances to bring back to council in June for consideration. The two-part proposal would allow businesses to serve alcoholic beverages at tables on the sidewalk and allow groups, organizations and clubs — not individuals — to apply for temporary permits to serve alcohol on public property at special events.
City regulations now allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol in confined outdoor patios but not on the public sidewalks in front of the businesses.
Mayor Bob Steinkamp said he was in favor of the city adopting enabling legislation that would allow businesses to serve alcohol in public outdoor settings and to allow organizations to sell alcoholic beverages at special events.
“I think we should do it. You see them serving alcohol throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area — the Brookside and Plaza art fairs, Parkville and Gladstone festivals,” Steinkamp said. “This is simply a way to bring individuals from the community and outside the community in to experience Liberty.”
According to Steve Anderson, director of development, the city received comments from a number of organizations, including Historic Downtown Liberty Inc., Partnership for Community Growth and Development, Soroptimist International of Liberty, Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, requesting that the city consider revising its rules. Corbin Theatre has also expressed interest in the changes.
HDLI president Coni Hadden said HDLI approached the city about the issue because it would like to serve alcohol at fundraising events downtown.
Hadden said the group would likely seek permission to sell and serve alcohol at three or four events during the year, including the summertime Taste of Liberty and winter Take-the-Chill-Out barbecue.
Councilman Nick King said he had some misgivings about serving alcohol at events where children were present. Earlier King said he opposed the city enacting “social legislation” when the city was considering a smoking ban.
“I’ve had a number of people speak to me about alcohol being served around children,” King said. “Alcohol affects the body. People get inebriated and do and say stupid things. I get concerned that we could get in a situation that gets out of control.”
However, King said he did support allowing retail businesses and restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages at tables on the sidewalk.
Councilman Fred Foster said he wanted to make sure that nearby neighbors were notified if an organization acquired a permit.
City codes currently allow alcohol to be served on private property by organizations with a temporary license provided the event is not within 150 feet of a residence.
Steinkamp said the 150-foot distance could be problematic since some people live upstairs around the Square. There is also a house adjacent to Rotary Park at the corner of Franklin and Gallatin streets.
Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or aborgedalen@npgco.com.