Fulton County Ohio Media

Following a Public Hearing on the issue, held just before the October 11, 2022, Swanton Village Council meeting, Council approved the first of three readings of Ordinance 2022-XX, creating a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in Downtown Swanton, Ohio.   A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area or DORA is a specifically designated area that allows patrons over the age of 21 to purchase alcoholic beverages from an establishment and carry them in an open container within a clearly defined area within the City. The motion to approve received four “YES” votes and two “ABSTAINS”.  Voting “YES” were Council members Dave Pilliod, Sam Disbrow, Patrick Messenger and Mikey Disbrow.  Voting to “ABSTAIN” were Council members Dianne Westhoven and Derek Kania.

Prior to the Public Hearing, where Public testimony was solicited, a notice of the filing of the DORA Application was published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Village of Swanton on October 4, 2022 and October 6, 2022 according the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 4301.82(B)(1-5).

Noted in the language of the Ordinance; approval of the proposed DORA will serve to enhance the experience of the patrons of the business establishments and special events in Downtown Swanton, Ohio.

The following are key provisions in the Ordinance which refer to “Exhibit A” and can be found on the Village of Swanton website under Government/Legislation/Swanton DORA:

Section 3 – In order to ensure public health and safety and in accordance with Section 4301.82(F)(1)(b) of the ORC, the number, spacing, and type of signage designating the DORA boundary shall be similar those set forth on Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof.

Section 4 – The hours of operation for selling a DORA beverage shall be Sunday through Thursday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Friday/Saturday from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM with all DORA beverages to be consumed no later than 12:00 AM in accordance with Section 4301.82(F)(1)(c).  The hours of DORA may be subject to modification and/or suspension during special events occurring within the DORA boundaries upon reasonable notice provided by the Chief of Police.  Additionally, if during special events, the Chief of Police determines additional law enforcement support is necessary within the DORA boundaries, the cost of the additional law enforcement shall be borne by the special event organizer.

Section 5 – The Public Health and Safety Plan as described in Exhibit A, is hereby approved as meeting the requirements of Section 4301.82(F)(1)(g) of the ORC including the number of personnel needed to carry out the plan shall be determined.

Section 6 – The Sanitation plan that will help maintain the appearance of public health of the area as described in Exhibit A, is hereby approved as meeting the requirements of Section 4301.82(F)(1)(d) of the ORC including the number of personnel needed to carry out the plan shall be determined.

Section 7 – As is required by Section 4301.82(F)(1)(g) of the ORC, beer and intoxicating liquor shall only be served in plastic bottles or other non-glass containers, which shall be provided by the qualified permit holders in a readily-identified container as approved by the Village’s Police department.

BOURNDARY MAP OF PROPOSED DORA:

In accordance with the ORC 4301.82(B)(l)(a) and F(l)(a), the boundaries of the DORA are depicted below. The specific boundaries of the DORA, including street addresses, are attached hereto and incorporated herein.

The DORA are approximately 14.15 acres. The map can also be found in Exhibit A in the Swanton DORA Application Addendum. Proposed DORA Boundary – DORA Street Boundary Listing

· The northern boundary of 202 N Main St East the East side of the Alley

· Up the East Side of the alley from Church Street to the South property line of 111 Lincoln Ave.

· To Lincoln Ave south to Zeiter Way

· From Zeiter Way (corner of Lincoln) to the NE corner of the property line of 217 Chestnut St.

· To Chestnut St

· West on Chestnut St to the NW corner of the property line of 108 Chestnut St

· Behind the businesses South to E. St Clair St

· To the SW corner of 116 S Main St and behind the businesses going North behind the Main Street Businesses to the northern boundary of 123 N Main St. to Main St.

· To the Northern boundary of 202 N Main St.

Council discussions to consider the opinions expressed by members of the public during the Public Hearing will take place before a vote is taken on the Second Reading of the Ordinance.  That vote is scheduled for the next regularly schedule Council meeting on October 24, 2022.

A video recording of the Public Hearing and the Council meeting that followed can be seen on the Village’s Facebook page.

Pictured:  Map of proposed DORA