Jacksonville changes alcohol ordinance

The Jacksonville City Council approved a measure Monday that enlarges the territory in which restaurants are allowed to sell hard liquor in the city.

The measure will allow restaurants within 500 feet of Jacksonville State University to sell liquor, a practice that had previously been prohibited. Council members who supported the move argued that it might attract more restaurants to town, while those who were apprehensive about the change were concerned that it may have negative repercussions.

Prior to Mondays vote, restaurants were already able to sell beer near the university, but they were restricted from selling liquor because the university was classified as a school, and the city’s rules prevented liquor sales within 500 feet of a school.

The move represented a compromise for council members who had wanted to also end a restriction that keeps restaurants from selling liquor within 500 feet of churches. Through conversation, the advocates of that move dropped the idea and moved forward with the plan that was passed Monday.