Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Durham Durham City Council Legalizes Patio Drinking
Posted by Vernal Coleman @colemantron on Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 10:00 AM
As expected, the Durham City Council last night unanimously approved a long-gestating revision to outdoor seating regulations that will allow for the consumption of beer and booze on city sidewalks.
The council's approval comes despite opposition from Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez, who'd expressed concern about the inclusion of private clubs (also read: bars) in the revised ordinance. A previous version of the ordinance that excluded nightclubs and bars was introduced to the public in May, prompting complaints from a cadre of interests—Durham Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Durham Inc. and a handful of local bar owners—that the rule would inhibit business growth in the heart of downtown.
Council members opted to side with the bar owners. Of course, eateries, restaurants and nightclub owners have actually been allowing patrons to consume alcoholic beverages on their patios for months. Only now, those who successfully apply for the new version of the outdoor dining permit can facilitate patio drinking with the city's full blessing.
One other interesting note from last night's agenda: Chapel Hill will pay the city of Durham $30,000 for law enforcement assistance on Halloween night.
The Town of Chapel Hill has, in recent years, clamped down, citing the ballooning number of costumed revelers that head to Franklin Street on Halloween night each year. Some 80,000 people attended the event in 2007, according to official estimates. Annual attendance has since dropped significantly as the city began limiting access into Franklin Street and to park-and-ride service.
- To create paragraphs in your comment, type <p> at the start of a paragraph and </p> at the end of each paragraph.
- To create bold text, type <b>bolded text</b> (please note the closing tag, </b>).
- To create italicized text, type <i>italicized text</i> (please note the closing tag, </i>).
- Proper web addresses will automatically become links.
Latest in Triangulator
-
War and NASCAR: America-F&#$-Yeah
NASCAR honors great American war hero/criminal Oliver North with its prestigious Stonewall Jackson Award
- May 23, 2013
-
EPA to hold public meeting tonight about water contamination in Wake Forest
EPA to hold meeting tonight about water contamination in Wake Forest
- May 21, 2013
-
New AFL-CIO report evaluates worker health and safety
According to the report, 148 workers were killed on the job in North Carolina in 2011, a rate slightly higher than the national average.
- May 20, 2013
- More »
More by Vernal Coleman
-
Reporter's Notebook: Durham denies beer and wine privilege licenses never
Since 2002, the city's department of finance has received 576 applications for the beer and wine privilege license from restaurants, mini-marts and other alcohol outlets. In 10 years, not one of those applications was rejected.
- Jul 12, 2012
-
Greg Hatem and Wells Fargo settle out of court
In the months since the multi-million dollar lawsuit was filed, the downtown developer received a City of Raleigh loan for $50,000. Whether decision makers at the city were aware of the lawsuit allegations remains an open question.
- Oct 3, 2012
-
Meth lab busts on the rise
- Dec 13, 2012
- More »
