Atlanta weighs Sunday alcohol sales vote

By David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta is the latest city in Georgia to consider putting a referendum on the ballot allowing Sunday retail sales of liquor, beer and wine.

Public comment on the proposal is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 6 during the City Council meeting in Atlanta City Hall, according to a news release issued Monday by the Council.

If the ordinance calling for the vote is approved, the referendum would appear on the Nov. 8 city special election ballot.

An extension of the penny sales tax by Atlanta Public Schools and an election to fill the vacant Atlanta Board of Education District 2 seat will appear on the same ballot.

The alcohol referendum ordinance is sponsored by Council members Alex Wan, Kwanza Hall, Cleta Winslow, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Michael Julian Bond, H. Lamar Willis and Yolanda Adrean.

Sunday alcohol sales are a hot topic throughout metro Atlanta. In Gwinnett County, for example, 13 of the county's 15 cities will hold November referendums on the issue.