Zoning change could mean more bars in downtown Sarasota (restaurants, license)

[wondermint2]

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...dcebef74&ei=59

A city zoning amendment clarifying the permissions of some downtown Sarasota establishments made its way past the Planning Board with a shaky thumbs up.

The amendment seeks to clarify the differences between restaurants, bars, and nightclubs and would allow the city to regulate these businesses using standards separate from the state.

Opponents fear the new provisions — which may present some bars with an easier path to approval — could threaten existing businesses and oversaturate downtown.

New definitions for restaurants, bars, nightclubs

Local establishments are currently defined in state terms, mostly according to what kind of food or alcohol license the business holds. According to the city staff’s presentation, this language is vague and affords little room for regulation, and it doesn’t account for establishments that blur the line between traditional restaurants, bars or nightclubs.

Planning Department Director Steve Corver said the new language written by the city would detach local businesses from state licensing requirements and erase the gray eras where these in-between businesses currently reside.

“We’re looking to go a different direction and really simplify things,” he said. “This is focused on really clarifying that and making it much clearer for everyone.”

Amendment could clear path for bars

The bulk of the city staff’s presentation focused on these clarifying agents, but opponents took the most issue with a change that could pave the way for more bars downtown.

New language categorizes indoor bars as permitted use, or “by-right,” establishments, which are entitled to development approval so long as they meet zoning requirements. Outdoor bars, per the proposal, will require a minor conditional use review: a hefty oversight process that allows the city commission to approve or deny development applications at its discretion, even if the proposal meets zoning requirements.

Under current law, all bars and nightclubs require conditional use approval as establishments with a full liquor license. But these two establishments, per the planning staff’s presentation, operate at different “intensities” — a measure of the impact and activity to surrounding areas — and should be treated with different levels of discretion.