Public Hearing for the Amendment to the City of Douglas Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages, Division 4, Sections 4-150 and 4-151 – Alcoholic Beverage Distance Requirements and Measurements

The City of Douglas hereby notifies its residents and interested parties of a proposed text amendment to the City of Douglas Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages, Division 4, specifically Sections 4-150 and 4-151, relating to distance requirements and distance measurements for alcoholic beverage establishments.

“AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY OF DOUGLAS CODES AND ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 4, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, DIVISION 4, LOCATION AND BUILDING REQUIREMENTS, BY AMENDING SECTION 4-150 (DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS) AND SECTION 4-151 (DISTANCE MEASUREMENTS); TO PROVIDE THAT DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA AS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

Summary of Proposed Amendments:

• Amending Section 4-150 to provide that distance requirements governing alcoholic beverage establishments within the City of Douglas shall be consistent with and governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, including but not limited to O.C.G.A. § 3-3-21.
• Amending Section 4-151 to clarify that distance measurements associated with alcoholic beverage establishments shall be determined in accordance with applicable state law.
• Incorporating state-mandated distance requirements by reference so that any future amendments to Georgia law will automatically apply within the City of Douglas without the need for additional local ordinance amendments.
• Establishing an additional local distance requirement prohibiting the issuance of alcoholic beverage licenses within 100 yards of any alcohol or drug treatment facility, including both publicly and privately operated facilities, as a more restrictive standard permitted under state law.
• Ensuring that the City’s alcoholic beverage regulations remain aligned with current state law while maintaining existing local provisions that do not conflict with the amendment.

Notice is hereby given that the proposed text amendment will be read for the first time at a regular meeting of the Mayor and City Commissioners of the City of Douglas, Georgia, on April 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM, and will be read for a second time, followed by a public hearing, on May 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM, at City Hall, located at 302 S. Madison Avenue, Douglas, Georgia 31533. After the public hearing, 
 
The ordinance will be voted upon at the regular meeting of the Mayor and City Commissioners. Anyone interested in said ordinance should be in attendance at the meeting on the above-stated dates.

A copy of the text amendment may be reviewed at City Hall in the Community Development Department, Planning & Zoning Division, 302 S. Madison Avenue, Douglas, Georgia 31533, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Holiday hours may differ.

Any person with special needs regarding disability access or foreign language should contact Wynetta Bolder, City Clerk, at (912) 389-3405. Persons with hearing disabilities may consider using the Georgia Relay Service at 1-800-255-0135. For more information, please contact Georgia Henderson, Community Development Director, at (912) 383-0277.