Outdoor refreshment areas could be created in certain communities

May 1, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Gov. John Kasich made quick work of legislation allowing communities to establish districts where people can enjoy alcoholic beverages in designated outdoor areas.

The governor added his signature to House Bill 47 Thursday, the day after the House concurred on Senate amendments to the bill. With an added emergency clause, the contents took effect immediately.

Under existing law, consumers face citations for carrying open containers of alcohol outside of businesses where those beverages are sold.

Under the legislation enacted Thursday, outdoor refreshment areas could be created in municipal corporations or townships with more than 35,000 residents, allowing residents to carry their drinks within certain boundaries — such as in downtown Youngstown’s entertainment district.

The legislation limits the size and number of outdoor refreshment areas, depending on the size of the communities where they are located, and communities will have to adopt plans for regulating the areas.

The legislation outlines a process for local officials to propose and finalize district boundaries, with time for public review and comment before state liquor officials sign off on the requisite designations.

Language added by the Senate will allow townships and other municipal corporations with up to 35,000 residents to establish one outdoor refreshment area two years from now.

Backers say the law changes are needed to support the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Cincinnati.

Without the emergency clause, the law changes would not have been in effect for that event, said Rep. Louis Blessing III, a Cincinnati Republican and a primary co-sponsor of the bill.

“We are excited in Cincinnati in particular to be able to have an entertainment district or a refreshment area, especially on the Banks for the All-Star Game,” added Rep. Denise Driehaus, a Cincinnati Democrat.

“But this of course is a statewide piece of legislation, and I’m hopeful that other municipalities will do the same and create these great destination points where people can come and play and recreate in these business districts and promote economic activity ....”