The Claxton City Council voted Monday night on an alcoholic beverage initiative that would ensure the city is business-friendly if the annexation of additional households in Evans County is successful.
City Attorney Bill Callaway told the council that because Evans County as a whole approved a referendum allowing liquor sales in 1971, a vote by council to approve liquor sales inside city limits would be duplicative. The only call for action by the council would be to draft and approve rules and regulations for obtaining business licenses to sell liquor.
The City of Claxton would still be bound by state law with restrictions, including barring a package store from operating within 100 yards of any church building or within 200 yards of any school building, educational building, school grounds, or college campus. In Georgia, liquor cannot be sold in a grocery or conveinnce store, but instead must be in its own shop. [Click here for a more comprehensive look at Georgia alcohol laws]
The guidelines will only address liquor and distilled spirits sales, not pouring licenses for restaurants or hotels.
Councilman Risher Willard asked if there had been any inquiries by persons interested in opening a package store inside Claxton city limits. Councilman Mel Kelly said the issue was brought up during the discussion of extending the city limits. Currently, there are package stores in the unincoporated area of the county and if additional land was annexed, business owners may not be able to continue operations.
Councilman Larry Anderson made a motion to authorize Callaway to draw up regulations to be approved by council at a later date and Councilman Kelly seconded the motion. It passed unanimously with all councilmembers present.
