Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Clerk’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Jonathan Douglass, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk
DATE:	May 9, 2012
RE:	Distance Limitation Waiver Hearing – Tour of Lawrence

Organizers of the 2012 Tour of Lawrence have requested permission for the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol on certain streets downtown as outlined below:

• Friday, June 29, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. – on the 700 and 800 blocks of New Hampshire Street and on the 100 and 200 blocks of E 8^th Street;
• Sunday, July 1, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. - on the 700, 800, and 900 blocks of Massachusetts Street, on the 100 blocks of E 8^th Street and E 9^th Street, and on the 100 blocks of W 8^th Street and W 9^th Street. Alcohol may also be served on private property on the southeast corner of 9^th and New Hampshire. This portion of the event may require a Special Event Permit from the Planning Division.

The alcohol will be sold by the Lawrence Sports Corporation (LSC) or a vendor representing the LSC, who is the holder of the right-of-way permit for the use of the streets and sidewalks.

These events are in proximity to various schools or churches downtown. City Code prohibits the sale of alcohol within 400’ of a school or church, unless the following steps are taken:

• The affected churches or schools are given 30 days notice of a public hearing to consider a distance restriction waiver;
• A public hearing is held before the City Commission;
• The City Commission finds that the proximity of the sale of alcohol is not adverse to the public welfare or safety; and
• The City Commission grants a distance limitation waiver (sections 4-113 and 4-206 of the City Code).

City staff has notified the affected school or churches that there will be a public hearing regarding the sale of alcohol associated with the Tour of Lawrence at the May 15, 2012, City Commission meeting.  Staff has received no objections to the sale of alcohol for the event.

The possession and consumption of alcohol on the public right-of-way is generally prohibited unless an ordinance exempting the property from the prohibition is adopted by the City Commission (section 4-105 of the City Code). Staff has prepared Ordinance No. 8733, which would exempt the locations listed earlier in this memo from this prohibition during the Tour of Lawrence.  

ACTIONS:      Hold a public hearing; find that the proximity of the sale of alcohol for the Tour of Lawrence is not adverse to the public welfare or safety; and grant distance limitation waivers for the event, if appropriate.

                   Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8733, allowing the possession and consumption of alcoholic liquor on certain public right-of-way for the Tour of Lawrence, if appropriate.