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M <br />and those that serve other alcoholic beverages, nor do current <br />regulations differentiate between establishments such as bars whose <br />primary function is to serve alcohol and restaurants whose primary <br />function is to serve food. <br />In staff's opinion, changing the alcoholic beverage regulations to <br />make such a distinction is logical, since activity at a bar is <br />focused primarily on drinking alcoholic beverages, but activity at <br />a restaurant is focused primarily on eating. <br />Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance section 300.05(1)(a) contains the <br />county's current requirement that alcoholic beverage sales <br />establishments where on -premise consumption occurs be located at <br />least 1,000' from an established church or school. The proposed <br />ordinance change would, under the following conditions, allow a <br />reduced separation distance between restaurants that serve beer and <br />wine and churches and certain types of schools: <br />1. The beer and wine is consumed at a "restaurant" where at least <br />51% of gross revenue is from the sale of food and non- <br />alcoholic beverages. <br />2. <br />3. <br />Reason: This requirement is to ensure that the establishment <br />is a bona fide restaurant and not a de facto bar that merely <br />serves snacks with alcoholic beverages. <br />The beer and wine is served and consumed at a table ( not a <br />bar) at times only when food service is available. <br />Reason: This requirement is to ensure that, unlike a bar <br />where drinking is the primary activity, drinking is done at a <br />table where meals are served and only during hours when meals <br />are served. <br />In relation to schools, the reduced separation distance would <br />apply only to post -secondary, technical, and business schools. <br />Reason: This requirement will ensure that schools where <br />children are required to attend will not be impacted. <br />The 500' separation distance contained in the proposed ordinance is <br />consistent with the City of Vero Beach's 500' separation distance <br />and is slightly more restrictive then the City of Sebastian's 450' <br />separation distance. <br />Staff's research indicates that, within the unincorporated area of <br />the county, there are 60 active establishments licensed to serve <br />alcoholic beverages (beer and wine or beer, wine and liquor). Of <br />these 60 establishments 27 are restaurants (45%); 19 are social <br />clubs (32%); and 14 are bars (23%). Staff's research also <br />indicates that, of the 90 restaurants (including fast food places) <br />in the unincorporated county, 30% are licensed to serve alcoholic <br />beverages. Therefore, serving alcoholic beverages appears to be a <br />fairly common, accessory practice at restaurants. <br />Because restaurants and churches are both allowed to be located in <br />many of the same commercial zoning districts, the Board is <br />justified in seeking a reasonable balance between normal restaurant <br />uses (which includes "accessory" consumption of beer and wine), <br />school uses that do not involve regular attendance of children, and <br />church uses. The proposed ordinance provides a balance that allows <br />bona fide restaurants to serve beer and wine at tables, if the <br />restaurant is located at least 500' from an established church or <br />Post -secondary type of school, under the previously described <br />conditions. <br />46 <br />DECEMBER 3, 1996 <br />BOOK 99 pnC-1022 <br />L <br />