HillsDale Neighborhood - County Failing Sobriety Test? Another Proposal for Late Night Liquor

In an attempt to find middle ground with the late night hospitality businesses, CEO Jones and other opponents of the proposed, more restrictive pouring hours for DeKalb Co, our Commissioner, Jeff Rader, has proposed another ordinance regarding pouring licensing for the County.

Under the proposal, a business with a standard pouring license could operate Monday through Saturday until 2 AM (as opposed to 4am, presently) and Sunday until 12 AM. A "Late Hour" License that would allow pouring until 4 AM Mon-Sat and until 3 a.m Sun is conceived under Rader's new proposal.

To apply for the proposed, additional license, a business would have to send a notice by mail to voters within 1500 ft of the premises. The majority of the registered voters would be needed to sign a supporting statement giving their consent to the requested license.

While I support Jeff Rader's intentions in these matters (I believe that the "peace and tranquility" of residential areas is in question), I believe that this new proposal could lead to many challenges and, in the end, miss the mark. If you've got the stomach for more discussion of this topic, grab a drink and read on!

Those that have lived in DeKalb for a while will recognize similarities to the infamous "Overlay District" ordinance hammered out as a compromise a couple of years ago. Though the intent of the ordinance was well placed in my opinion, the process defined for the new districts was not fully baked and led to many failed attempts for communities seeking an "Overlay District" as well as legal challenges to the poorly documented petitioning and approval process.

Here are my specific concerns/questions about the current proposal:

1. Is 1500 ft the right figure? I believe the proposal is based on a similar one used in Chicago where many more times the average number of residents exist within 500 ft.
2. Where will the starting point be for the 1500 ft measure proposed? From the edge of the defined deeded property of the business? From the edge of the larger strip mall footprint that may contain some of these establishments? Will it exclude the width of through-ways and other public lands? This determination could make a dramatic difference in who has a say-so in the petitioning process in practice.
3. What will be the effective dates of petition signers voter registration status? Can they register after the application process starts, for example?
4. Do they have to be a current resident of the effective area? Many folks return to their voter registration district even after moving - what will be the validation process for this status in any case?

I am sure there are more "bugs" in the proposed process that will required more lengthy analysis and discussion than is currently planned. I don't know about you but I'm busy with my "day job" and really need our County leadership to take the time to do this one right.

Can we at least agree to have a moratorium on new licenses for bars/clubs planning to build/open for late night pouring in DeKalb? Let's not make the mistake we made with the "Overlay" debate and let the controversy rush a well intentioned but not fully thought out ordinance into law.

Note: Registered members of www.HillsDaleNeighborhood.com, post your comments below and I'll pass along to Jeff Rader's office.


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