Somerset Alcohol ordinance is a detailed 26-page document
Somerset awaiting word on 'quota licenses' for package stores
by Heather Tomlinson
The Commonwealth Journal Thu Jul 26, 2012, 08:08 AM EDT
Somerset — The city’s first draft of its alcohol beverage control ordinance is nothing if not detailed.
Somerset City Council spent the better part of two hours Monday evening going over the 26-page document that sets local regulations, according to what
state law allows, in implementing legalized alcohol sales in the city limits.
“Just bear with me,” Somerset City Attorney Carrie Wiese told councilors during Monday’s meeting.
City officials have emphasized time and again that many of the decisions to be made in the coming months rest squarely in the hands of the Kentucky
Department of Alcohol Beverage Control.
“We just have to follow whatever they give us,” said Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler on Monday.
The main question on the minds of residents — observers and business owners who hope to get a piece of the pie alike — involves “quota” licenses.
“I know everybody’s anxious about the quota licenses and what those include and what they don’t and how many we’re going to get,” Wiese said around
halfway through the first reading of the city’s newly-drafted alcohol ordinance.
All types of alcoholic beverage licenses in the Commonwealth will be available to Somerset. That’s because the entire range of licenses is open to
first-, second-, and third-class cities, and Somerset, at just a shade under 12,000 people within the corporate limits, is classified as being in the
third class.
That means bars, liquor stores, restaurants serving drinks, beer in convenience stations, and more will be available in Somerset following the 60-day
waiting period — expected to end at the end of August — which began after the June 26 local option election was certified.
There are two licenses considered to be quota licenses, which means only a limited number will be available based on area population, as ultimately
determined by the ABC in cooperation with city government.
Retail Liquor Package (LP) licenses and Retail Liquor Drink (LD) licenses will be limited to a certain number as decided by the state.
LP licenses are required for package liquor stores. These allow off-premise consumption and the package sales of distilled spirits and wine. These
licenses represent the typical liquor store, where one can buy bottles and packages of vodka, rum, bourbon, and other types of alcohol that aren’t
just beer.
These licenses may not be issued to grocery or convenience stores, unless that business provides a separate facility immediately adjacent to the main
store which has its own entrance and is not accessible from within the grocery store.
LD licenses are required for establishments such as a bar or nightclub venue. By definition, LD licenses are issued for a bar where either no food or
limited food is sold, or in a restaurant without regard to food sales or available seating. LD licenses permit the sale of distilled spirits and wine
by the drink for consumption on the premises.
City officials, including Girdler, have stated that the city most likely will not allow the operation of night club or bar venues on Sundays, although
the new ordinance contains language allowing package spirit sales, malt alcohol sales and restaurant by the drink sales on Sunday. That issue will be
decided on during the second reading of the ordinance.
Wiese said the city has been inundated with calls from curious business owners and interested citizens regarding the quota licenses, but the city has
been unable to say for sure just how many quota licenses will be made available.
Again a long story. Please read rest of story here:
http://somerset-kentucky.com/local/x1236707242/Alcohol-ordin...
WHATEVER floats your boat Dude!
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