Committee removes food-sales percentage requirement for Old Main businesses

The ordinance committee voted to remove an antiquated requirement that a specified portion of a Main Street business''s sales be food in order to sell alcoholic beverages. Committee members said the existing percentage rule is outdated and can hinder small businesses, citing a recently opened winery that prompted the review.

Councilman Page said striking the percentage requirement will let downtown businesses operate and pay taxes while supporting revitalization of Old Main. A motion to remove the percentage requirement was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote during the meeting.

The committee did not discuss enabling language such as licensing conditions, caps or other limits during the recorded portion of the meeting; the draft will be prepared for formal ordinance language and forwarded to full council for enactment.