Liquor store applications now available after Charlotte council approves new regulations

The town of Charlotte is ready to begin handing out applications for retail liquor stores today after the town council gave its final approval to new regulations Tuesday night. Nobody spoke during a public hearing on the ordinance establishing local restrictions for package liquor stores, which Charlotte voters approved in a November referendum. The ordinance restricts who can own the stores, where they can be located, what hours they can operate and establishes an application fee and process. Without discussion, the council unanimously approved the ordinance on the second of two required readings Tuesday. Mayor Bill Davis said the town would be ready to begin handing out applications on Wednesday and once a completed application is filed the town has 60 days to review and vote on it before it is sent to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission for final approval. The council also passed on first reading an ordinance stating its “intent for the Sheriff of Dickson County to enforce the ordinances of the City of Charlotte.” The ordinance is intended to satisfy an ABC requirement that towns have a municipal law enforcement agency or “contract” with one in order to qualify to allow retail liquor sales. Since Charlotte does not have a municipal police department or a “contract” for law enforcement services with the sheriff’s office, attorney Kirk Vandivort says the ordinance calling on the sheriff’s office to enforce city ordinances should satisfy ABC regulators. The ordinance says certified copies of the town’s ordinances will be sent to the sheriff’s office and Dickson County General Sessions Court for jurisdiction over enforcement. A public hearing on the second ordinance will be held prior to the March 26 council meeting when it faces a second and final vote. Charlotte Recorder Bonnie Duke said she has had “five or six” people express interest in opening a package liquor store in Charlotte since the referendum passed. Applications are available beginning today at Charlotte Town Hall.