Saint Albans committee expands POTA hours, citing Ohio DORA examples to boost downtown commerce

The ordinance committee voted to amend the city's Public Outdoor Designated Area (POTA) rules to allow broader daily hours modeled on successful programs in other cities. The committee's motion mirrors hours used by Charleston and draws on research about Ohio's DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) programs.

Chair members said POTA aims to revitalize downtown retail and restaurants by allowing patrons to carry a single cup between participating businesses within a defined area. The committee proposal would allow Monday through Friday hours from 4 to 10 p.m. and weekend hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Supporters pointed to surveys and case studies from Ohio where extended DORA hours were associated with increased visitor dwell time, higher cup sales and funds used for downtown reinvestment.

Bridal Epling, who said he and the chair previously worked on a white paper related to the Ohio DORA law and later the state's POTA implementation, summarized findings that dozens of Ohio communities reported few negative impacts to litter, policing or fire response and that some towns used cup proceeds for streetscape and riverfront projects. Committee members said the expansion is reversible if problems arise and that they would draft code language modeled on Charleston's ordinance.

A motion to adopt the proposed hours was made and carried by voice vote. The committee advised drafting formal ordinance language and monitoring outcomes if the measure is enacted by full council.