CRESTVIEW — Residents filled every seat in Council Chambers on Monday to discuss a proposed alcoholic beverage ordinance for the Main Street Commercial District.
Growth Management Director Gailliard said a proposed ordinance revision would exempt the downtown area from restrictions on alcohol use for special events.
Supporters said they favor allowing the safe sale of alcoholic beverages in the district.
Paul Lowery, president of the Main Street Crestview Association, was among them.
“Under the current ordinance, I have watched many businesses come and go,” Lowery said.
He said he’s visited other Main Streets in Florida cities where similar alcohol ordinances have been introduced and responsible business owners have been allowed to succeed. Lowery said the city has the Main Street Association’s full support to revise the city ordinance.
Michael Carroll, who owns Hub City Smokehouse and Grill at the south end of the Main Street District, has a beer and wine license. He has been open for two years and has one more year on his lease — the question is whether he will renew it.
“I want to know that there is going to be some revitalization of the downtown before deciding if I will renew my lease,” he said. “There has to be some progress and movement downtown.”
Patrick Legions, 26, said he and his wife go to restaurants in Destin because they feel there is nowhere for millennials to go in Crestview.
“We like to go out for a bite and a drink occasionally and we do not want to give our money to an Applebee’s or something like that,” he said.
Joel McGraw, pastor of Crestview Independent Baptist Church, spoke against the proposal.
“Many social ills are beyond our control but there are some we can control,” he said. “The drinking of alcohol can be limited and stopped. Stopped is best.”
McGraw said he would not eat at a restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages
Dr. Eugene Strickland also spoke against the proposal.
“I hear the words ‘vibrant,’ ‘atmosphere,’ ‘glass,’ ‘responsible’ and more which all pertain to alcohol. I also have a problem with some members of the council in favor of alcohol downtown. Churches have closed downtown and the churches instill integrity in the community,” Strickland said.
Police Chief Tony Taylor said regardless of the decision’s outcome, Florida state laws relating to alcohol would be enforced.
Ultimately, the decision will lie with the five Crestview councilmen. There will be a special meeting Nov. 28 to discuss the ordinance again.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview alcohol ordinance raises debate