NCJ Number
148895
Journal
Prevention File Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1994) Pages: 6-10
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Communities may be able to use local land use laws to prevent community problems related to the sales and service of alcoholic beverages in bars and package stores.
Abstract
Planning and zoning ordinances allow local governments to impose conditions on alcohol sales outlets that will enable them to operate profitably, conveniently, and problem-free. Land use planning determines uses for specific geographic areas within cities or counties, while zoning ordinances regulate the design and use of a community's land use districts. Planning and zoning ordinances bring an environmental focus to alcohol problem prevention, but these ordinances can only be effective if public agencies and community groups work together to monitor alcohol availability. Communities can adopt special or conditional use permits to regulate alcohol outlets, thus giving city agencies and community groups a way of assuring that public health and safety concerns balance private retailer interests. Zoning laws may also exclude alcohol outlets as permitted uses in specific zone types. Before adopting conditional use requirements for alcohol outlets, local jurisdictions must demonstrate any potential land use risks associated with alcohol sales. Further, they must show that zoning restrictions are likely to prevent such risks. Density problems that may contribute to problems associated with alcohol sales and service are examined, and the importance of community involvement in preventing alcohol problems is stressed.