Rob Fouss, a Vienna resident, shares his concerns regarding the ordinance which would change the city's liquor licensure and asks the city to do studies prior to approving the ordinance. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

VIENNA – Vienna City Council approved a series of alcohol-related ordinances Thursday evening after hearing more than an hour of public comment from residents, most of whom raised concerns about liquor sales and the future character of the city.

The discussion centered on proposed changes related to liquor sales in the city, including an ordinance removing certain restrictions on alcohol sales in District 2. That ordinance, sponsored by Councilman Jim Leach and Councilwoman Tami Rhodes, ultimately passed 5-0, with Mayor Chad Emrick abstaining, after council approved an amendment limiting alcohol sales to 11 p.m.

Before the vote, residents spoke both against and in support of the proposed changes.

Ethel Harris, a 33rd Street resident, said she opposed the alcohol changes and questioned whether restrictions would be effective.

“Now you’re going to sell drinks at the Freedom Festival,” Harris said. “I thought that would be family-oriented, but we might have kids down there running into these people that got booze in their hand, walking around.”

Harrison said she was not opposed to “one nice restaurant in Vienna,” but worried the change could open the door to other businesses she did not believe fit the city.

“I just think we got to clean Vienna up and make it a family-oriented little city again, and I object to the alcohol,” she said.

Kathy Boswell-Davis, of 58th Street, also opposed the alcohol-related ordinances, saying she believed they were a bad idea near churches and family neighborhoods.

“I think it’s a bad idea within walking distance of several churches,” she said. “We’ve got doctors and lawyers coming here for a family-friendly neighborhood, and this would destroy it.”

Brian Leversee, pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Rosemar, said he believed many residents shared concerns about the ordinances.

“I love our city. I think we’re heading in so many good directions,” Leversee said. “I think this is a really bad idea.”

Leversee said ordinances help “shape a story” about a community and what it wants to be.

“I understand growth. I want our city to grow,” he said. “I want it to grow healthily. I want it to grow vibrantly. I don’t believe this is the answer to it.”

Rob Fouss, a Grand Central Avenue property owner, said he was not speaking for or against the proposals, but urged council to slow down and gather more information before acting. Fouss said his real estate is within the affected area and he could potentially benefit from the change, but still questioned the speed of the vote.

“Why now? What’s the rush?” Fouss said. “Why do we have to have a vote tonight that’s going to change the city forever?”

Fouss said he did not believe council had enough information about the potential economic impact.

“Where are the feasibility studies? Where are the economic impact studies?” he said. “To say that if we pass this, this is going to fix this problem, I just don’t think it is.”

He asked council to consider town hall meetings and further discussions with residents and business owners.

Daniel Miller, who identified himself as a Vienna resident and House of Delegates District 11 candidate, spoke in support of the District 2 ordinance. He said removing the prohibition would help businesses that want to sell alcohol, including restaurants, small convenience stores and other commercial properties.

“The removal of this prohibition is a step in the right direction to revitalizing Vienna,” Miller said.

Miller said he understood concerns about nightclubs or other businesses but said Vienna already has a noise ordinance and police department to enforce the law.

“Change is scary, and it doesn’t always work, but how can things get better if we don’t try something new?” Miller said.

After the public comments and council discussion on the liquor-related proposals, council moved through the ordinances under unfinished business.

Council first unanimously passed an ordinance establishing catch-and-release fishing requirements for city-owned or city-managed park ponds and lakes. The fishing ordinance was amended to require barbless hooks and allow a seasonal trout harvest from June 1 to Oct. 1.

Council then unanimously passed an ordinance amending Vienna Municipal Code 521.06(a)(2) and 521.06(a)(3), which deal with intoxication or drinking in public places. City Attorney Russ Skogstad said the ordinance simply adds wine to the city’s existing prohibition on drinking alcoholic liquor or nonintoxicating beer in public places.

“I think that ordinance, the ordinance that we have in place, conspicuously misses wine,” Skogstad said. “This just adds that to the ordinance and makes it clearer, I think, to enforce the general prohibition.”

Emrick said the city’s existing code did not address wine, meaning there was no city prohibition on someone drinking wine on a street corner or park bench.

“This now adds wine to that list, so you can’t sit on the street corner or a park bench and drink red or white wine,” Emrick said. “We’re not approving an authorization to do this. We’re adding wine to the current ordinance.”

Skogstad said the change would not affect religious ceremonies or other exemptions already addressed in the city code.

Council also unanimously passed an ordinance authorizing the sale, service, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on city-owned or city-managed property under conditions set by the city.

In other business, council approved a $35,000 donation for the Jackson Middle School multi-sport facility project. Council also approved a resolution acknowledging soccer field development at Jackson Park and rededicating fields to Vienna Rec Youth Soccer.

Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 11.