Council approves 4th liquor store




In a tense meeting Tuesday, the Waynesboro City Council approved two more liquor store applications, bringing the total number of businesses to sell distilled spirits in the Bird Dog Capital to four.

Represented by attorney Matthew Wade Padgett, Yogi Swami filed an appeal after the council denied his application to open a liquor store at 505 W. 6th Street last month.

City Attorney Randolph Frails advised the panel to table the matter since Padgett was not able to attend due to contracting COVID-19. Councilmen Dick Byne and Willie Williams voted to table the issue, however, the rest of the panel voted to move forward. Swami’s application was then approved in a 3-2 vote, with Councilwoman Vickey Bates and Councilman Maurice McBride voting in opposition.

Next, the council discussed the application to open Taylor Bros Xpress Package Shop at 1105 N. Liberty Street. The panel tabled the matter during last month’s meeting because there were questions related to the appropriate classification of First Step Learning Academy being defined as an “educational building” and the proximity of the proposed liquor store to that building not satisfying the distance requirement.

City Manger Valerie Kirkland recommended Tuesday, that the council deny the application based on the city’s ordinance that defines daycare settings as schools.

However, Frails said he had already drafted a memo recommending the panel approve the application, stating that the alcohol ordinance recognizes schools as state, county and church school buildings as defined by state statute. He stated case law that pointed to the court declining to extend the definition of an educational building to a nursery or daycare. However the definition of a school varies under two Waynesboro ordinances; the alcohol ordinance and the adult business section.

“We need to resolve that at some point, but presently our alcohol ordinance, based upon my interpretation of the ordinance as it is written, and based upon the Supreme Court’s definition of daycares as it is written, that’s why I am recommending approval of the Taylor application,” Frails said.

Councilman Maurice McBride addressed both of the applicants asking them how they thought opening their liquor stores would benefit the community. Eddie Taylor spoke up first, claiming beer and wine were already being sold at a convenience store near the daycare facility in question. He also pointed out that people will spend their money in Waynesboro instead of purchasing distilled spirits in Richmond County, therefore generating more tax revenue locally. Initially, McBride did not accept his answer and asked Taylor the question again. McBride then approached Swami with the same question. His answer consisted of giving consumers more choices and bringing in more jobs.

“I make a recommendation that we approve it on the advice of our (legal) counsel,” said Councilman Bill Tinley.

The Taylor Bros Xpress application was approved on a 3-2 vote with McBride and Bates voting in opposition.

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