The decision whether alcoholic beverages can be sold in restaurants on Sundays in Hinesville is being left up to the voters who go to the polls Nov. 6.
Following a four-to-one vote, the Hinesville City Council added the referendum to the General Municipal Election ballot.
Steve Troha was the only council member to vote against the referendum.
“It’s the wrong thing to do, and (this referendum) is not in the best interests of the city,” Troha said.
To avoid confusion regarding this referendum, City Manager Billy Edwards emphasized that alcohol would only be available for sale at restaurants, and not at convenient stores or bars.
In other city news
• The council passed an ordinance that will inhibit the construction of any adult entertainment business within 1,000 feet of residences, schools, churches, other alcohol establishments and other incompatible commercial activities, Edwards said.
The council came to the decision after a five-month moratorium that prevented any person from seeking a license to build an adult entertainment business, he said.
The moratorium was put in place to determine whether adult establishments hurt the surrounding community, and the council unanimously decided they did.
“Crime increases have been associated with adult entertainment locations,” Hinesville Police Department Chief George Stagmeier said. “Typically, there is an increase in drug activity, property damage and assaults, which can occur within the vicinity of one of these establishments.”
• The council also discussed a proposed ordinance to amend the way in which dogs can be tethered in a residents’ yards.
If the ordinance passes, Hinesville residents will no longer be able to chain their dog to a stationary object, Edwards said.
The yard would have to be enclosed with a fence, or a cable line would have to be installed (instead of a chain or rope) to prevent the dog from entangling itself.
Following a four-to-one vote, the Hinesville City Council added the referendum to the General Municipal Election ballot.
Steve Troha was the only council member to vote against the referendum.
“It’s the wrong thing to do, and (this referendum) is not in the best interests of the city,” Troha said.
To avoid confusion regarding this referendum, City Manager Billy Edwards emphasized that alcohol would only be available for sale at restaurants, and not at convenient stores or bars.
In other city news
• The council passed an ordinance that will inhibit the construction of any adult entertainment business within 1,000 feet of residences, schools, churches, other alcohol establishments and other incompatible commercial activities, Edwards said.
The council came to the decision after a five-month moratorium that prevented any person from seeking a license to build an adult entertainment business, he said.
The moratorium was put in place to determine whether adult establishments hurt the surrounding community, and the council unanimously decided they did.
“Crime increases have been associated with adult entertainment locations,” Hinesville Police Department Chief George Stagmeier said. “Typically, there is an increase in drug activity, property damage and assaults, which can occur within the vicinity of one of these establishments.”
• The council also discussed a proposed ordinance to amend the way in which dogs can be tethered in a residents’ yards.
If the ordinance passes, Hinesville residents will no longer be able to chain their dog to a stationary object, Edwards said.
The yard would have to be enclosed with a fence, or a cable line would have to be installed (instead of a chain or rope) to prevent the dog from entangling itself.