Some proposed changes to the city’s alcoholic beverage ordinance are on the agenda for Thursday’s Flowery Branch City Council meeting.
No action will be taken, city officials said. The item outlined here is for discussion only.
Taken straight from the agenda, it is posted here:
“The purpose of this agenda item is to provide City Council with an overview of recent requests and policy considerations related to the City’s alcoholic beverage ordinance, including wholesale distribution, alcohol service at recreational facilities, and whether to establish limitations on the number of liquor/package stores permitted within the City limits.
HISTORY:
The City of Flowery Branch regulates the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages
through Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances. The ordinance establishes multiple license categories,
including:
- Retail sales for consumption on the premises
- Retail package sales
- Wholesale distribution
- Brew pubs and tasting permits
- Amenity permits
The ordinance is structured to align with Georgia law while allowing the City to impose local
standards related to land use compatibility, public safety, and operational controls. - FACTS & ISSUES:
- The City has recently received several inquiries and requests that raise broader policy questions
regarding the scope and structure of the current alcoholic beverage ordinance: - Wholesale Distributor Request
A request has been received from an entity seeking to locate an alcoholic beverage
wholesale distributor within the City limits. While the ordinance includes provisions for
wholesalers, the request raises questions regarding land use compatibility, operational
impacts, and whether additional standards or limitations should be considered for wholesale
distribution activities. - Recreational Facility with Expanded Alcohol Service (Pickleball Facility)
A proposed pickleball and recreational facility has requested the ability to sell beer, wine, and
distilled spirits for on-premises consumption beyond what is permitted under an amenity
license. This request raises considerations related to:
o Whether the existing license categories adequately address entertainment- or
activity-based venues where alcohol service is secondary to the primary use;
o Appropriate operational controls, service areas, and consumption limits; and
o Consistency with approaches used by other municipalities for similar facilities.- Limitation on the Number of Liquor/Package Stores
Council may also wish to consider whether the City should establish a limitation on the
number of liquor/package stores allowed within the City limits. Currently, there are three (3)
licensed liquor/package stores operating in Flowery Branch:
o Hometown Spirits, 4856 Hog Mountain Road
o New Village Spirits, 5462 McEver Road
o Lakeside Package Store, 6168 Gaines Ferry Road - This discussion may include whether a numerical cap, spacing requirements, zoning
restrictions, or other regulatory mechanisms should be considered to guide future
applications. - Collectively, these issues highlight potential areas where the current ordinance may benefit from
additional clarification or policy direction to ensure it aligns with Council’s goals and community
expectations. - OPTIONS:
- 1) Provide direction to staff on whether to further evaluate or develop potential ordinance
amendments related to: - Alcohol licensing and regulatory considerations for a proposed wholesale distributor within the City
limits; - Alcohol sales and consumption at recreational or entertainment-based facilities, such as a pickleball
facility seeking expanded on-premises alcohol service; and - Whether to establish limitations on the number of liquor/package stores permitted within the city”