3/18/25 Agenda item 12-a : Beer Ordinance revisions

[Lauren Rider]

Fellow Council Members,
In addition to the agenda items (AIS, Proposed Ordinance, Redlined Ordinance), I've attached 3 spreadsheets to help compare/contrast the proposed revisions to the city Beer Code pertaining to Special Events Beer Permits and Temporary Serving Area Special Event Permits.
Looking forward to answering any questions on Tuesday.

Our current Special Events Beer permitting process is governed by an ordinance that has been edited repeatedly over time with a list of exceptions. Open containers and consumption are allowed by exception, when permitted as a Special Event, in selective places as noted in the code. These named places were added over time as one-by-one ordinance changes (more or less). As requests for community events in different areas of the city come to the Special Events staff, they are turned away if not on the list of exceptions. On occasion, they were referred for an ordinance change. The newest additions are Lakeshore Park and Baker Creek, both newer parks where community events have been hosted.

Happy Holler on N. Central Street is one of the recent requests that prompted this code review. After discussion and process review with Special Events, City Administration, KPD, Engineering, Law Department, and Public Works, it was determined a more equitable approach to the code could allow other areas of the community the possibility of hosting special events with the opportunity to apply for a beer permit in conjunction.

The notable code change in the 3/18/25 Agenda item 12-a: Special Event Beer Permits would no longer be limited to a list of selective public locations in limited parts of the city. Other locations can be considered and reviewed for feasibility without individual ordinance changes.
Other additions to the code are specific guidances and requirements for any special event premises in or near residential areas or in conjunction with city streets, sidewalks, or parking lots.

Most of the code remains the same:
-An approved special event permit is required to apply for a special event beer permit. That will require a review by up to 7 city departments for safety and feasibility. More details here: https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/ ... ial_events
-Safety requirements are reviewed prior to the issuance of a Special Events Permit: safety of attendees, additional staffing (paid for by the applicant), the specific process for wrist bands and ID check, etc. The special event permit process accesses the event processes.
-This ordinance change could supplement new or revised events that local neighbors can walk to in their community.
-This ordinance change will help create consistency across our events including compliance and enforcement of the rules. Current code requires applications that range from 45 days to 70 days. All applications now require 70 days prior to event.
-Current code is hard to follow. This will streamline the ordinance for members of our community.

[Lauren Rider]

I will have an amended motion for a couple of edits to share tonight. They are for clarification in Section III, code 4-77, subsection (g) and (j). As noted below and attached.
The map of World's Fair Park won't attach here. Mr. Johnson will be able to provide it for you.

SECTION 3: Chapter 4, Article 1...
Sec. 4-77. - Special events beer permits.
...subsection (g)
................part (4) All patrons who are consuming beer or other alcoholic beverages at the special event shall be provided with a distinctive or customized wristband for the event. The permittee shall ensure that the only individuals provided with wristbands are individuals who are twenty-one (21) years of age or older.

................part (6) It shall be unlawful for any person to re-use or to knowingly allow the re-use of an approved single-use container for an alcoholic beverage and nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the same. Only commemorative event cups approved by Special Events Permitting and by the Beer Board which are detailed in the Server Plan will be eligible for re-use.


...subsection (j) It shall be unlawful to charge admission for entry or deny public access into a special event area taking place on any public street, public sidewalk, or public parking lot with the exception of a permitted area which encompasses World’s Fair Park and World’s Fair Park Drive and the public properties therein including the Performance Lawn, the Tennessee Amphitheater and adjacent Lake, the Festival Lawn and Court of Flags. A detailed map of Worlds Fair Park shall be maintained in the city recorder's office.