(Batesville, IN) – Batesville Main Street will go before City Council next Monday night, asking them to adopt an ordinance that would establish a downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).
The proposed Main Street DORA would allow those who purchase alcoholic beverages to leave an establishment and have open containers within a designated area.
It’s the result of a state law approved last year that modifies Indiana’s open container rules and adopt DORAs in specific places with a municipality, pending approval from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC).
There are only four DORAs currently operating across Indiana, including Lawrenceburg and Shelbyville.
The Greensburg DORA is still awaiting ATC approval.
Patrons visiting the Main Street DORA would permitted to purchase alcoholic beverages at their favorite bar, restaurant, or retailer just as always.
However, unlike current regulations, if the bar or restaurant has obtained necessary DORA permits, patrons will be permitted to leave the premises, beverages in hand, so long as their beverages are in a specific DORA labeled cup.
Batesville Main Street says a number of establishments in the Main Street District have expressed an interest in receiving DORA permits.
During DORA operating hours, patrons are permitted to venture throughout the Main Street DORA with beverages in hand. Additionally, subject to the discretion of businesses and property owners, patrons may be permitted to enter into other stores, restaurants, retail establishments, and other locations located within the DORA with their beverages in hand.
The organization says adoption of a DORA ordinance is not the same as adopting a “BYOB” ordinance, since patrons are strictly prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages into the district for consumption and/or consuming alcohol within the public areas of the DORA unless purchased from a permitted establishment.
Batesville City Council will consider the ordinance at their February 12 meeting, which begins following the Board of Works session at 6:30 p.m.
