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Letter to the editor

Alcohol decision will wait

An idea from last year has grown so complex that commissioners need more time.

By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published September 20, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Complex options are "almost something that would drive people to drink," Gay Gentry said.

LARGO - Faced with a confusing menu of choices, city officials have backed off a decision to relax Largo's rules on downtown businesses that serve alcohol.

Two weeks ago, commissioners voted to ease some restrictions on businesses along West Bay Drive and Clearwater-Largo Road. They also appeared ready to allow alcohol to be served at some city venues.

Since then, residents, police and other city officials have weighed in with a variety of concerns. That prompted the commission's staff to present the board with some alternative regulations.

By Tuesday night, commissioners said the options were beyond complex.

"It's almost something that would drive people to drink," Commissioner Gay Gentry said.

So commissioners decided to go back to the drawing board.

The discussion goes back to last year, when city leaders proposed easing their rules to encourage more restaurants and upscale clubs to open downtown.

Mayor Pat Gerard said Tuesday night she didn't have a problem with more restaurants that serve alcohol. But she said the city needed significant distance requirements between standalone bars to limit them downtown.

Other city leaders had second thoughts about authorizing standalone bars at all.

"I don't want to look back in 20 years and think I've done the wrong thing," Commissioner Gigi Arntzen said.

City rules drafted in 2002 require almost all downtown establishments to sell more food than alcohol. Rules also require establishments that serve hard liquor to have buildings covering at least 2,500 square feet.

A little over a year ago, city staffers proposed eliminating the size requirement. They recommended keeping other restrictions in place, including the food requirement.

But commissioners said the rules were too strict. They directed their staff to drop the food requirement and create a distance requirement of 50 feet between establishments that serve liquor.

It took more than a year for those new rules to come back before the commission for a vote.

Staff attorney Mary Hale said there were various reasons for the delay, including the incorporation of rules for certain city venues, the clarification of language describing distance requirements and certain advertising issues.

Whatever the reason, it was so long that some commissioners forgot what they decided on. Others changed their minds.

Early this month, staff recommended approving an ordinance that included commissioners' recommendations from last year along with provisions to allow alcohol to be served at various city venues.

Then, last week, commissioners decided to remove Largo Central Park from the list of authorized locations. The Recreation, Parks and Arts Department said it wanted to maintain the park as a family-friendly atmosphere.

Commissioners also suggested adding Largo Public Library's Jenkins Room to the list, because it is sometimes used for after-hours parties or fundraisers.

Tuesday night, new Assistant City Manager Mike Staffopoulos presented commissioners with two ordinances, plus a variety of recommendations from different city departments.

For example, police Chief Lester Aradi opposes easing restrictions for establishments on Clearwater-Largo Road, where the city has tried to reduce crime and blight.

"We have worked very hard to change the complexion of that corridor," Aradi said before the meeting. "We're finally succeeding and we don't want to slip backwards."

On Tuesday night, a couple of residents, including former Commissioner Martin Shelby, told commissioners they oppose the ordinance, too.

"Too many taxpayer dollars have already been spent to clean up these downtown areas," resident Geoff Moakley said.

Whatever the commission decides next, Staffopoulos suggested that rules along West Bay Drive and Clearwater-Largo Road should be consistent.

With varying opinions and a slew of options, commissioners said it was best to bring the issue back to another workshop.

"I think we need to start all over," Commissioner Andy Guyette said. "Let's hope it will not take another year."

Lorri Helfand can be reached at lorri@sptimes.com or 445-4155.

Fast facts

Downtown Largo and alcohol: a time line

July 11, 2006: City commissioners decide to ease restrictions on establishments that serve alcohol downtown.

Sept. 4, 2007: Commissioners grant initial approval to an ordinance to ease restrictions and allow consumption of alcohol at certain city venues, including Ulmer Park.

Sept. 11: Commissioners discuss alcohol consumption at city venues and decide to authorize it at certain venues, but not at others.

Tuesday: Commissioners deny the new ordinance on second reading and decide to start from scratch.

[Last modified September 19, 2007, 23:54:32]