Freely drinking outside in downtown Taylor has been temporary, but city officials have the authority to make it permanent.
On Thursday, April 28, the Taylor City Council will discuss and give possible direction on the suspension of the prohibition of alcoholic beverages on public property and rights of way within the Central Business District.
In 1994, the city adopted an ordinance that prohibited the consumption and possession of an open container of alcoholic beverages in the Central Business District. The district includes historic downtown and various blocks surrounding Main Street extending from Seventh to Rio Grande streets.
The ordinance was amended in 2018 to allow district businesses to apply for permits for possession and consumption in their adjacent area within a city right of way. More provisions were suspended in May 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began and health authorities encouraged outdoor seating to limit the spread of the virus. Suspensions expired Sept. 29, 2020, but city staff reports that enforcement of the earlier ordinance has not resumed.
Staff has requested that the council give direction on whether they would want to continue a temporary provision suspension, permanently repeal portions of the prohibition or return to the original ordinances in effect. If provisions are repealed or continue suspension, Heritage Square and Pierce Park could be included in the suspension.
Without certain prohibitions, restaurants could provide fullservice outdoor seating to customers as patrons walk through downtown businesses with drinks, which could encourage downtown commerce. However, staff acknowledge alcohol-related nuisances could increase.
In other business, the council is scheduled to:
• proclaim Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month;
• proclaim Fair Housing Month;
• proclaim National Police Week;
• receive an update from the Planning and Zoning Commission;
• hold a public hearing and introduce an ordinance on the Envision Taylor Comprehensive Plan;
• hold a public hearing and introduce an ordinance regarding a change of zoning request on approximately 0.44 acres of land generally located near the intersection of Old Granger Road and Grace Lane from single-family residential zoning to local business district;
• hold a public hearing and introduce an ordinance to amend another ordinance to change zoning of approximately 756 acres at 201 FM 3349 of single-family residential zoning to general commercial zoning with a commercial planned district overlay;
• receive a presentation from Capital Area Rural Transportation System regarding Taylor services;
• receive an update on post-incident analysis of the March 21 area tornado.
• receive an update on the upcoming Blackland Prairie Days festival; and
• enter into executive session on the case of Claudia Payne v. City of Taylor.
The council meeting is at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 400 Porter St., in the council chamber. Those wishing to address the council have a threeminute limit and must sign up by 5:45 p.m.
The council agenda and live video stream of the meeting can be found at http://www. taylortx.gov.
