The Alpharetta City Council advanced a Nov. 6 referendum on earlier alcohol-serving hours on Sunday, but delayed consideration of a companion ordinance that would actually implement the change.
The council gave first reading to a measure authorizing the referendum, which would ask residents if they approve of sales “of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverages for beverage purposes by the drink” between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Currently, serving is limited to 12:30 p.m. to midnight Sunday.
A measure implementing the voters’ will was tabled to provide for more public information, an Alpharetta spokesman said. The council acted on the referendum now because the deadline for action is fast approaching; if it’s to get on the November ballot, a second reading and final vote must be made at the July 23 council meeting.
Municipalities across metro Atlanta are rushing to call referendums on earlier Sunday serving hours. They follow the Legislature’s passage this spring of Senate Bill 17, the so-called Sunday Brunch Bill or Mimosa Law.
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