host posted on July 29, 2009 08:02
By Adam Smith
The North Jefferson News
Potential businesses wanting to sell liquor within Fultondale’s city limits will have to wait.
At its Monday meeting, the Fultondale City Council issued a 90-day moratorium on issuing business licenses to any business selling alcohol while leaders work on revising license procedures related to alcohol sales.
City attorney Charlie Waldrep said the city will be “starting from scratch” in possibly crafting new procedures dealing with those businesses. Among the criteria to be taken into consideration are size of the establishment and hours of operation.
The city may also examine the volume of alcohol sold versus food sales. Mayor Jim Lowery said food sales for new businesses should be equal or greater than alcohol sales.
Lowery said the city wants to be proactive on preventing violence or other criminal activity at establishments that primarily serve alcohol.
However, any new measure passed by the council will not apply to existing establishments, which would be grandfathered in on the new ordinance.
Linda Douglas, owner of Home Field in Fultondale, said the city is making the right decision. She said even though her establishment sells liquor, it is a restaurant first and foremost.
However, she said her business has had instances in the past where the police department was needed to restore law and order. She said the establishment was once known as “Battlefield.”
“We finally tried to weed out that bad element by letting everybody know that we don’t tolerate that kind of behavior,” Douglas said. “When you have alcohol and rednecks, you’re going to have issues now and then. If you throw a football game in on top of that or a full moon, it can be a problem.”
Waldrep said he and city leaders will meet with Fultondale Police Chief Byron Pigg within the week to learn more about criminal issues that have occurred in the past at bars within the city limits.
In other business, the council:
• authorized the mayor to enter into a renewal agreement with Malcom Pirnie Engineering Services for implementing the city’s stormwater management program for 2009
• approved a business license application for the Norwood Clinic Imaging Center to be located at 339 Walker Chapel Road, Suite 301
• authorized the mayor to request an extension from CSX Railroad for the Rails to Trails project
• approved a street light at 5857 34th Street
The council will meet again on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m.