Buying beer or wine on Sundays may be a possibility in Columbia as the city mulls changes to its ordinances.
The Columbia Board of Aldermen discussed a draft ordinance consolidating several items and looking at changes to others. The board will likely adopt a new ordinance regulating the sales of beer and wine at its Nov. 20 meeting and then send the ordinance to the Alcoholic Beverage Control division of the Mississippi Department of Revenue for review.
Alderman-at-Large Edward Hough asked about the additions and changes as the board looked at the draft ordinance prepared by City Attorney Lawrence Hahn. Hough’s concerns involved zoning and facilities that could serve or sell beer and wine. The board discussed items involving the ordinance for nearly 45 minutes during the meeting held in the city’s municipal courtroom because elections were taking place in the boardroom at City Hall.
Hahn said he and Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Lonnie Stringer had studied the issues.
“What we came up with would be to allow sales in a B2, B3, M1 and M2 (areas not in residential neighborhoods) areas, except for businesses currently licensed as you would grandfather them in,” Hahn said.
Hough questioned locations such as places where fundraisers might be held where alcohol could be sold. Hahn said that in many cases, organizers would need a permit from the ABC.
“There are several areas and restaurants that would be precluded because they are in B1 areas,” he said. “You can serve it at some of these venues; it’s the selling that is a concern.”
Hough also asked about alcohol sales at the city-owned Columbia Expo Center.
“There would have to be specifics in the contract between the city and the organizers of whatever function that was going on up there like how many law enforcement personnel would be required,” he said. “That would be in our lease agreement.”
Mayor Justin McKenzie said several regulations would apply to enable that type of contract.
“They would have to get a beer license through the city and through the ABD,” McKenzie said. “They would have to abide by whatever the requirements are for those type of events.”
Hough inquired about a clause in the ordinance prohibiting gambling around alcohol sales.
“Would that have any impact on stores selling lottery tickets, since the state has just voted in a lottery?” he asked. “Would that interfere?”
Ward 1 Alderman Wendell Hammond said gambling would likely be considered as dice games or card games.
“I’m just trying to clarify it,” Hough said.
Hahn said the ordinance could permit an exemption for the state lottery to avoid confusion. Hahn has also consolidated seven ordinances into one to try to alleviate confusion and specified it would only apply to beer and wine, not hard liquor.
The ordinance will also deal with hours to serve beer and wine, which now will likely be from 11 a.m. until midnight daily, including on Sundays.
Aldermen had considered making the Sunday start later, but Ward 4 Alderman Mike Smith said some restaurants might consider a brunch or serving at 11 a.m.
The board will also address sales in locations such as hotels in the ordinance, in case a hotel would desire to sell beer or wine with proper licensing. Hotels would possibly be licensed to sell between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. and be considered locations with 20 rooms or more.
The board will examine the ordinance again at its next meeting and likely vote on it but set the timetable to begin 60 days after passage in case any changes in language or clarification are needed.
Hahn said he would make the changes requested by the board in time for the meeting, allowing them to review the ordinance before voting on it.
