Canal Winchester DORA application heads to state liquor control for approval
Canal Winchester’s Old Town area soon could have a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area that permits patrons to buy alcoholic beverages in a bar or restaurant and then walk around certain city streets.
Residents could be sipping beer, liquor and wine in plastic cups or bottles early next year if the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control approves the application unanimously supported by City Council during its Nov. 7 meeting.
The application is to be submitted to the state 30 days after the Nov. 7 vote. City development director Lucas Haire said the Division of Liquor Control could take up to three weeks to act on it.
“I want to say, ‘Thank you, mayor,’” council member Jill Amos said prior to voting on the resolution detailing the DORA.
When council began discussing the idea in May 2020, Mayor Mike Ebert expressed reservations about having enough law-enforcement personnel to enforce DORA regulations and about other problems a DORA potentially could create, such as trash. The city does not have its own police department and contracts with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office for service.
According to Ohio law, a mayor, city manager or township fiscal officer must submit an application to the local City Council for its approval before the state may then approve it.
Municipalities are required to put together a plan that outlines the DORA's hours of operation, which in Canal Winchester’s case would be noon to 11 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day.
Ohio lawmakers first approved DORAs in 2015, and since then, such districts have been created by municipalities in more than 50 counties, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce website.
DORAs have been established in several central Ohio communities, including Bexley, Columbus, Gahanna, Grove City, Hilliard, New Albany, Powell, Westerville, Whitehall and Worthington.
Many see DORAs as economic-development drivers used to attract shoppers or diners.
Ebert’s application indicates that one of the six main recommendations of the Old Town plan is to promote commercial growth.
“The creation of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area will serve as an economic tool to attract patrons to the city of Canal Winchester for special events, generate additional sales at local restaurants and continue to highlight the Old Town area as a destination for dining and entertainment,” the application states.
City officials have identified 21 locations where signs and stickers would be posted to ensure patrons know the DORA’s boundaries, Haire said.
The six liquor permit-holders within the DORA are Shade on the Canal, Barrel & Boar, Harvest Moon, Loose Rail Brewing, Roman’s Pizza Super Sub Shoppe and Local Cantina.
The sheriff’s office would provide routine patrols of the DORA and enforce regulations during “all hours and with special duty during events,” according to the application.
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Canal Winchester sends DORA application to state liquor control
