Willoughby Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area discussions continue
Published by: The News-Herald
Original article found here
Willoughby City Councilman Daniel Anderson recently discussed the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area topic at a Downtown Willoughby Bar and Restaurant Association meeting.
According to the Ohio Department of Commerce, a DORA is a specified area of land that a local legislative authority — city council or township trustees — has designated as exempt from certain open container provisions.
As renewed attention was brought toward the DORA, the bar and restaurant management group asked Anderson to attend a meeting they were hosting to prepare for the annual Rib Burn Off.
Anderson said at the meeting that he is still unsure whether a DORA is a good idea and that, in his view, the bars and restaurants would need to be fully committed before the city would consider any next steps. Additionally, Anderson said he plans to speak with the merchants as well as it is his intention to gather signatures so the city can clearly see how many people support the idea.
Anderson said he does not expect anything to happen soon. However, Willoughby City Council President Robert Carr said at some point the city needs to gather resident feedback.
“The key stakeholders are the bars and restaurants, the merchants, the city and the residents,” Anderson said. “All four groups must be involved before moving forward.” Last month, Anderson and City Councilman Larry Luciano met with Bar and Restaurant Association members, as well as local merchants regarding the idea of establishing a DORA. Anderson said while the concept may or may not be necessary for Willoughby, he believes it was worth starting a conversation.
“The state has many such areas,” he said. “At a glance, it appears there may be around 200 and that two currently exist in Lake County and one in Chardon.”
After gathering additional feedback from merchants, Anderson said he might request an Economic Development Committee meeting to examine the topic further. He also said that Mayor Robert Fiala is not enthusiastic about the idea, which he understands, but he emphasized that it can be tailored to community needs.
Fiala said that the outreach came from one merchant and one restaurant bar owner, and encouraged City Council to independently reach out to additional businesses, as well as their constituents.
“The term ‘DORA’ may sound appealing,” Fiala said. “Residents often respond differently when the phrase ‘open container’ is used.”
Anderson has agreed with Fiala, reiterating that it’s an issue that warrants thoughtful discussion.