Okaloosa County BOCC — May 6, 2014 — Draft Festival District Amendment (3) — reading text

ORDINANCE NO. 14-____ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OKALOOSA COUNTY CODE, SECTION 2.20.01, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS; DESIGNATING THE MID-BAY REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER AS A “FESTIVAL DISTRICT;” ALLOWING CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PURCHASED IN LICENSED ESTABLISHMENTS ANYWHERE WITHIN SUCH DISTRICT EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED; REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Mid-Bay Regional Activity Center is a mixed-use development that includes restaurants and entertainment facilities in an attractive outdoor setting have proven very attractive to tourists visiting Florida’s Gulf Coast, as well as to Florida residents; and WHEREAS, the Mid-Bay Regional Activity Center is a safe and attractive area in which visitors can consume safely alcoholic beverages outside of licensed establishments while enjoying outdoor entertainment and other recreational amenities; and WHEREAS, neighboring jurisdictions, including the City of Destin, Walton County, the City of Pensacola Beach, and other Florida communities, have implemented similar arrangements to allow outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages in defined areas, and thereby enjoy a competitive advantage over Okaloosa County businesses; now, therefore, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA. Section 1. Section 2.20.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is hereby amended by adding a new Paragraph 9, to read as follows; subsequent sections are renumbered accordingly: Section 9. The Mid-Bay Regional Activity Center is hereby designated as a “Festival District.” Alcoholic beverages purchased in licensed establishments located within the Festival District may be removed from such establishments in paper, metal or plastic containers and may be consumed anywhere within the Festival District, except in business establishments or defined recreation areas that prohibit alcoholic beverages. The Festival District shall not be treated as improved property supporting an alcoholic beverage establishment for purposes of the minimum distance separation criteria of Section 2.20.01. Section 2. CONFLICTS. All Okaloosa County Ordinances, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby superseded by this Ordinance to the extent of any conflict. Section 3. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid, all other provisions thereof shall remain valid and enforceable. Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption and execution as provided by law.