Title
AM2023-0001, Alcohol Sales Special Exception Process, Code amendment. (Dean)
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION / BACKGROUND:
The City of Pembroke Pines requests an amendment to the City’s Land Development Code (LDC) to create new regulations regarding the late-night distribution of alcohol by certain businesses. The expressed purpose of the proposed amendment is to ensure the safety and security of the surrounding communities and businesses by addressing related noise, traffic, parking and security concerns.
The proposed amendment requires any hotel, restaurant, bar lounge, or night club which serves alcohol within the city after 1 AM and prior to 4 AM to first obtain approval through the City’s special exception process. In no case shall a business be permitted to serve alcohol between the hours of 4 AM and 7 AM.
Per Section 155.301 (M), special exception applications require the review and action by the Planning and Zoning Board. The Planning and Zoning Board will utilize the special exception standards of approval which are already established within the section. The amendment will also require a business which is seeking a special exception to provide and implement a security plan as part of the special exception application.
In amending the Ordinance, the City expects to amend the following sections of the Code of Ordinances as a result of this application:
• Section 155.203 (Definitions)
• Section 155.313 (Enforcement)
• Section 155.504 (Alcoholic Beverage Establishments)
The proposed amendment will repeal the following section of the Code of Ordinances in its entirety:
• Section 110.02 (Hours of Sale, Exception of New Years’s Day)
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Planning and Zoning Board to direct city staff to coordinate with the City Attorney’s office to draft an Ordinance for presentation to the City Commission.