| Here is what the St John's County ordinanance says: "Sec. 2.03.02 Alcoholic Beverages Alcohol Beverage Establishments may be permitted as a Special Use within districts as defined in Section 2.03.01 and shall be subject to the following conditions and limitations: A. Nearby Church - Nearby School Except those beer and wine vendors who sell no alcoholic beverages other than malt beverages and wine and who are licensed in accordance with Section 563.02(1)(a) and/or Section 564.02(1)(a) of the Florida Statutes, as may be amended from time to time, no vendor of alcoholic beverages that is located within the unincorporated area of St. Johns County shall maintain a place of business within one thousand (1,000) feet of an established school or within one thousand (1,000) feet of an established Church located in the unincorporated or incorporated area of St. Johns County. In the case of a Church, this distance shall be measured from property line to property line, without regard to route of travel, and in the case of a school, to the nearest point of the school grounds in use as part of the school facilities as measured from the property line of the place of business, without regard to route of travel. The property line to property line measurement adopted (August 2, 2011), shall not be cause for the discontinuance of any otherwise lawfully operating business which maintains an existing license/permit for the sale of alcohol under this Code as of August 2, 2011 and has been in continuous operation since that date, nor shall such business be considered nonconforming as defined in Part 10.03.00 of this Code, if the effect of the new measurement establishes a vendor, church or school within one thousand (1,000) feet. Further, the provisions relating to distance requirements shall not apply to a vendor location if such business is sold or transferred after August 2, 2011, as long as that business has been in continuous operation since the new measurement method was adopted in August 2, 2011 (subject to the all of the requirements for such transfer under federal, state and local regulations). No school or Church shall be established within one thousand (1,000) feet of an established vendor of alcoholic beverages except those vendors licensed in accordance with Section 563.02(1)(a) and/or Section 564.02(1)(a) of the Florida Statutes, as may be amended from time to time, unless a Variance has been granted as provided in Part 9.03.00 of this Code or a substantial burden on exercise of religion is shown as described by Section 761.03, Florida Statutes" (page 50 of the Ordinance.) The way I read it, if the business sells only beer and wine, then the 1000 feet requirement does not apply. Am I reading correctly?
Edited by martin 5/25/2026 14:38
|