A map of the designated outdoor refreshment area in Bargersville. The area has been approved by town, but is still pending state approval. Provided map
Bargersville residents may soon be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage while shopping at the farmer’s market or attending other events downtown.
The town council approved a designated outdoor refreshment zone at Tuesday’s town council meeting, 4-0, with one member absent.
Last year, state legislation authorized municipalities to create a designated outdoor refreshment area, or DORA. Cities like Fort Wayne and Noblesville have established similar areas.
Parks Director Kris Wilson has been working on the details including signage and a sanitation plan of the DORA since April.
A DORA allows patrons 21 years and older to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved businesses within the DORA. The DORA would allow residents to grab an alcoholic beverage from an establishment and enjoy it in the designated zone, Wilson said at April’s town council Meeting.
Passing an ordinance is the first step in creating a DORA. It won’t be official until Bargersville’s DORA is approved by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, Wilson said.
The DORA boundary includes the intersection of Old Plank Road and Main Street, the intersection of Old Plank and the alley at 111 N . Baldwin St., the intersection of the alley at 58 E. Old South St. and Old South Street, the intersection of Old South Street and the alley at 14 W. Old South St, intersection of Plummer Avenue and alley at 98 N Main St., intersection of Overlook Drive and property line at 158 N. Main St.
Taxman Brewing Company, Cellar’s Market, Up Cellar and Pizza & Libations will be issued as “Refreshment Area Designation” pending approval from the Indiana Alcohol Commission, meaning residents will be able to grab an alcoholic beverage from any of those locations and enjoy it within the DORA. Any additional alcohol permit-holding businesses that open within the DORA could also be granted a “Refreshment Area Designation” by submitting a Bargersville DORA Retailer Application to the town for approval. The council would approve additional designated permittees through a resolution, the ordinance says.
People can consume an alcoholic beverage purchased from a designated permittee or vendor anywhere within the area boundaries. However, businesses may still prohibit open containers of alcoholic beverages or beverages purchased from another establishment from entering their premises, the ordinance says.
A designated permittee or vendor may allow a person to exit the designated premises with no more than two open containers at a time. The open containers are limited to 16 ounces if it is beer or a flavored malt beverage, 12 ounces for wine, cider and hard seltzers and mixed drinks may not be more than 10 ounces containing two ounces of liquor, the ordinance says.
Signs will be posted at each exit of approved businesses and vendors. Glass containers will not be allowed in the area, but may be allowed in an approved business’s outdoor dining area, the ordinance says.
Bargersville Police Department already regularly monitors the area and will adjust as needed, according to the ordinance.
Because the town will incur additional costs from sanitation and monitoring, each designated permittee and vendor will be required to pay a $200 sanitation and public safety fee. The fee is due Jan. 31 of each year for businesses and no later than 10 days before an event for vendors.
