The city of Eupora is considering ordinance changes to allow the sale of beer here on Sundays in addition to Monday through Saturday.
A public hearing on the proposal will be held during Monday’s meeting of the mayor and Board of Aldermen at 6 p.m. at Eupora City Hall.
Aldermen voted July 22 to call for a public hearing to amend the city’s Resort Status Ordinance to allow Sunday sales of beer and light wine. The motion to do so was offered by Ricky Newton (District 3) and seconded by Junior Shaw (Ward 1), according to the city clerk. The motion carried 2-1 with Jerry Gary (atlarge) opposing. Billy Tabb (Ward 2) and Robert Gibbs (Ward 4) were absent from the recessed meeting.
A notice being advertised in today’s newspaper states the hearing is for the purpose of “amending the City of Eupora Resort Status Ordinance to allow for Sunday sales of beer and light wine, permit sales in one additional zoning district and increase the annual fee for a commercial sales license.” These are the ordinance amendments being proposed:
• CMU-1 would be added as an approved zoning district for sales of beer and light wine, which would be in addition to C-1 (Central Commercial) and C-2 (Highway Commercial) districts. CMU-1 is a zoning district for commercial mixed use intended to accommodate a range of retail, service, civic, entertainment, recreation and higher-density residential uses.
• The permit fee to sell alcoholic beverages, including beer and light wines, would be updated to $100 per applicant per year. The fee now required at the time of filing an application for a special-use permit is $25. The fee will be refunded if the application is denied.
• Restaurants would be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages, including beer and light wines, on Sundays from 1 p.m. until 11 p.m. Those sales are now limited to 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
• The section stating no alcohol can be sold, given away or furnished in any manners on Sundays, except when New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday, would be struck completely.
• Convenience stores and grocery stores would also be permitted to sell beer and light wines on Sundays from 1-11 p.m.
• The section stating it is unlawful for any restaurant, convenience store or grocery store to work or employ anyone under age 18 where alcoholic beverages are sold would be struck completely, as local restaurants employ people under 18 years of age.
• CMU-1 would be added as an approved zoning district for any business seeking a special-use permit under the ordinance. The Qualified Resort Area Ordinance was approved nearly four years ago. The changes, if implemented would not apply to package stores for the sale of liquor within the city limits. A copy of the proposed amendments may be viewed online a t www.cityofeupora.com/ publicnotice or obtained at City Hall.
