By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur City Council has given a green light to the exploration of establishing a DORA ordinance.
A designated outdoor refreshment area, or DORA, allows individuals who are at least 21 years old to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved vendors and retail establishments and carry them outside to be consumed within the DORA boundaries.
A new statue allowing DORAs was passed by Indiana Legislature and went into effect last July.
The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission says 30 DORAs have been approved in Indiana, including two in Fort Wayne.
Action taken by Decatur City Council approves moving ahead with the idea here of having City Attorney Anne Razo explore what steps are needed next.
“ A lot of communities have endorsed it (DORAs); it’s being used more and more,” Razo said.
“It is somewhat controversial,” she continued, noting that some people consider it to be promoting drinking alcoholic beverages and also encouraging people to consume too much.
Razo said she considers a DORA as a way to encourage people to come downtown, and also as a way to exercise more control over drinking at outdoor events.
Veteran council member Matt Dyer, who said he has been approached by local officials of the local American Legion post about the possibility of a DORA, offered support to the idea of exploring the idea.
“I think it’s a good idea to look into it,” he said. “I think our community has proven itself. All the years we’ve made the (Madison St.) plaza, we’ve had only a few problems. By all means, people have conducted themselves well.”
The Madison St. Plaza has become a hotbed of activity during warm-weather months; any drinking of alcoholic beverages is confined to that small area.
Mayor Dan Rickord said a public meeting would be held before any possible passage of an ordinance establishing a DORA here.
Razo remarked that considerable information is needed to apply to the state for a DORA.
Here are the major requirements:
A map of the refreshment area in sufficient detail to identify its boundaries.
The boundaries of the refreshment area, using street addresses.
The location(s) of the proposed designated retail permittee(s) and temporary vendors within the refreshment area.
A statement that the refreshment area is consistent with the municipality’s zoning ordinance.
The number, spacing, and type of signage designating the refreshment area.
The dates and the hours of operation for the refreshment area, which may not violate Indiana Code 7.1-3-1-14.
