Executive committee backs extended bar hours for unincorporated establishment

The Iberia Parish executive committee on Nov. 19 voted to move forward with an ordinance amendment to extend permitted operating hours for bar establishments in unincorporated areas.

Councilman Warren Gajesang introduced the request on behalf of the owner of Backroads (formerly a venue called Americas), asking the committee to change the ordinance to allow bars to stay open until 2 a.m. on weekdays and until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Several members said they would support the change but asked for clarity about what the ordinance defines as a bar and how many businesses outside city limits would be affected.

Members said they preferred the owner be present for further discussion and asked staff to confirm the scope (unincorporated areas vs. inside municipal boundaries). The committee approved the amendment in that meeting’s committee session, with several members waving further debate and voting to pass it forward for the next procedural step.

Committee discussion also emphasized reviewing the specific ordinance language (chapter 6, section 6-2) to ensure the change would apply only where intended.