12/3/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I BOOK 99 P440.31 Bruce Barkett, attorney representing applicant Lori Fothergill, stated that he was here to address commercial use of commercial property in this county. He referred to the map showing existing commercial uses and emphasized that commercial uses are encouraged in commercial areas. He noted that the proposed ordinance is not about bars; it is about restaurants in commercial areas serving alcoholic drinks. Attorney Barkett also noted that no one here today has talked about how the serving of beer and wine at a restaurant would affect the church. They have talked about the evils of alcohol. He then addressed the matter of police enforcement, and pointed out that Vero Beach Police Chief Jim Gabbard said that in his 11 years in Vero Beach he has never had a complaint or an incident concerning the proximity of a restaurant to a church. Attorney Barkett emphasized that the City's separation distance is 500 feet. He didn't agree that it was a lowering of a standard; the proposed ordinance only permits restaurants to be within 500 feet of a church. Attorney Barkett asked the Board to consider the arguments of how -the restaurant could affect the church by serving alcoholic beverages along with food. He felt that if the goal is to decrease consumption of alcohol, let's go the route of making this a dry county. He stressed that we are talking about on -premise drinking, not beer and wine to take out, such as in convenience stores. Commissioner Macht felt the difference between the County and the City requirements probably came about because of the population densities of Vero Beach. Lori Fothergill, owner of the Ultimate Pizza, related that she and her husband went established this family business 7 years ago. They have a 4 year-old son her husband passed away 3 years ago. They have family values and they have not contributed to the delinquency of minors and never will. Mrs. Fothergill felt that the issue of the separation distance requirement should have been handled a long time ago. The problem of on -premise drinking outside of some bars has not been resolved and now it has become her problem. She believed the owners of those bars should have been fined or penalized in some way to control those activities. Mrs. Fothergill urged the Board to consider her request. Jim Isaacson, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Wabasso, spoke against reducing the separation distance because he believed it would further erode the moral standards of our community. He cautioned that changing it for this person only would open the doors to other requests. DECEMBER 3, 1996 55