Monday, March 11, 2013
Board Denies Issuance Of Beer Permit For Park Restaurant
Members of the Lawrence County Beer Board denied the issuance of a beer permit for David Crockett State Park Restaurant in the wake of a public hearing that was held Friday.
The board had been asked to issue a beer permit that would allow the sale and on-site consumption of beer inside the restaurant only. Alcoholic beverages would still be prohibited in all other public areas of the park.
Between forty and fifty local residents turned out for the public hearing, held at the Lawrence County Administrative Center.
A petition bearing the signatures of 740 citizens was presented to the beer board opposing the issuance of the permit. Several present also addressed the board, voicing their concerns.
Officials with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission addressed the board, providing an explanation as to why the permit was being sought.
They said that the local park restaurant is the only one in the state that does not already have a permit allowing the sale of beer.
Although in years past alcohol was strictly forbidden in all state parks, the passage of the 2005 Tennessee River Resort Act allows businesses situated within three miles of the Tennessee River to sell alcohol.
The sale of alcohol has since been adopted at other park restaurants in an effort to make them profitable. Otherwise, officials said several would have been forced to cease operations.
Beer Board Chairman Jim Ward read state statutes dictating that board members may not make decisions based upon personal beliefs or opinions. The law states that members must make decisions based solely upon relevant laws.
Board members ultimately voted to deny the application, expressing their belief that the park, as a whole is a “place of public gathering.”
State law provides guidelines but no concrete description of what constitutes such a place, therefore boards must make such a determination on a case-by-case basis.
The “2,000 foot rule” adopted by county government dictates that beer permits may not be issued to any business situated within 2,000 feet of any church, school or place of public gathering.
Board members said that the park swimming pool and boat docks are situated less than 2,000 feet from the restaurant.
