High Springs City Commission approves special permits for Sunday alcohol sales on first reading, votes to purchase Priest Theatre

BY DAVID LIGHTMAN

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At their May 9 Regular Meeting, the High Springs City Commission approved an ordinance on first reading that establishes the use of special permits to allow for alcohol sales on Sundays by businesses that derive less than 51% of their sales from food and nonalcoholic beverages. Commissioners also agreed to purchase the historic Priest Theatre and indicated that they plan to resell it after making some renovations.

Following direction from the Commission at their April 11 meeting , City Attorney Scott Walker presented an ordinance his office had drafted to codify the process for approving special permit applications for selling alcohol on Sundays by businesses that currently are not allowed to do so (at this time, only the High Springs Brewery is affected). Under the proposed ordinance, these permits would be granted by City staff only on federal holidays and in connection with City-sponsored special events. Permits for other dates may be granted with the approval of the City Commission.

Letters from the public

Mayor Katherine Weitz began by reading several letters she had received, nearly all in favor of lifting all Sunday restrictions. The letters that opposed the change raised concerns with loud, amplified music, other “quality of life” issues, and the possibility of other businesses “swooping in” and making High Springs “a party central.”

The letters that supported lifting all Sunday restrictions said the brewery is a family-friendly place that allows kids and their parents from different areas to gather in the sun; the level of noise from the brewery is actually low; some visitors don’t stay in town on Sundays because the brewery is closed; the brewery doesn’t serve “hard liquor”; no one knows the percentages of sales at the other establishments; the brewery creates “a vibrant and lively atmosphere” on Sundays, including at nearby businesses; it’s not fair because the restrictions affect only the brewery; and the employees are a positive force in the community whose wages should not be jeopardized.

Mayor Weitz explained that the brewery has been allowed to operate on Sundays, against the existing ordinance, and “We’re trying to do it the right way.”

Public comment

During public comment, a woman said, “I have never seen anyone (at the brewery) that seemed over-served or rowdy. I’ve seen kids who didn’t previously know each other playing together and having a lot of non-electronic fun. The noise and traffic arguments on social media are ridiculous.”

Raising questions about whether other businesses actually meet the requirement for food sales, Peter Khoury said, “If you’re setting a criteria of 51%, it really needs to be measured.”

Mel Campos said she and her peers use the brewery to unwind and share thoughts after their performances, although they cannot do so on Sundays, and the brewery even supported her during her time of sobriety by offering many nonalcoholic beverages. She said they support arts and artists, and it is a good place for kids.

Linda Jones objected to so many letters being read from people who did not attend in person. She pointed out that while the brewery does host many important events, they are also making more money during those events.

An employee of Prohibition Pizza, located adjacent to the brewery, said, “The brewery brings business to all of High Springs, and I’m sure almost all business owners would agree… You are making it a one-day town.”

Sue Weller asked whether City-sponsored events need to be city-wide and what happens when federal holidays fall on Mondays.

David Lynch cited statistics about alcohol-related deaths.

Kelly Potter of Prohibition Pizza said the Pioneer Festival was very quiet on Sunday, in contrast to Saturday, when the brewery was open. She said, “We could make High Springs a two-day town.”

One of the owners of the High Springs Brewery pointed out that the economy in 2024 is different from in 2019 when they began to operate. He said they don’t “want” to be open on Sundays, but with the current economy, they need to be open.

Shane of High Springs Brewery said he wanted to clarify that they want to move toward being open every Sunday instead of by special permit only.

Kathy Greiner cautioned, “Don’t open the door for things that we don’t want… Are we going to open ourselves for something that we really don’t want?”

Jana Evans discussed inappropriate behavior at the previous meeting and disrespectful comments made on social media against anyone who didn’t favor lifting all Sunday restrictions against the brewery.

Commission discussion

Commissioner Tristan Grunder said, “(Making businesses get special permits) is ridiculous… I don’t think that we should make them jump through hoops during a situation like this… This town wants this. I would almost bet my bottom dollar on that. This town wants this to change… I think, at this point, we need to suspend the ordinance for Sundays and put it on a vote for November.”

Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth pointed out, “This town, people that have lived here all their lives – Sunday has been a peaceful day for them. Now that’s just the way it is. You come into this town, you come in here for a reason. You like High Springs, you love High Springs. I’m passionate about this town. I grew up in this town. This is my town. This is your town. But I’m not saying one way or the other. It’s hand-in-hand. But people come to this town for the peacefulness of High Springs. What’s wrong with being peaceful for one day a week? That’s my view.”

Responding to someone making comments in the audience, Bloodsworth said, “I am not a coward for being up here in this chair. Okay. If you want to do a vote, put it on the table. Let’s vote right now.”

Motion

Commissioner Andrew Miller made a motion to approve the ordinance as written. Commissioner Byran Williams seconded the motion “for discussion.”

Attorney Walker said the ordinance could be easily amended before the second reading to allow for federal holidays that fall on days different from Sunday. He said Cinco de Mayo or other non-traditional holidays could also be written in.

Grunder said he thought it was crucial to put it on the ballot and let the citizens vote on the issue.

Weitz and Miller suggested surveying people via a survey on their utility bills. Acting City Manager Diane Wilson (City Manager Jeremy Marshall had not yet returned from vacation) said, “I will tell you that a large number of people don’t open their utility bills, and I will tell you that from experience… I’m just concerned that they wouldn’t see it.” She said sending out a separate survey would likely reach more people.

Walker clarified that a charter amendment could only be changed with another charter amendment referendum in the future, while an ordinance could be changed by a vote of the Commission.

Weitz said she had a motion and a second. Walker suggesting revising the ordinance to include Sundays that precede a Monday holiday and days of city-wide events instead of “City-sponsored,” as the ordinance had originally read.

With Walker’s suggested revisions included, the ordinance passed on 4-1 on first reading during a roll call vote, with Bloodsworth in dissent.

Second motion

Grunder made a motion to amend the agenda to discuss putting the question on the November ballot.

Weitz suggested discussing it at the next meeting when they would have a better idea of costs. City Clerk Angela Stone said they would need to pass an ordinance to put it on the ballot, and they would need to advertise those meetings, therefore they had limited time.

Grunder’s motion died for lack of a second. The special permits ordinance will be revisited for a second reading in June, and staff will have better information at that time about the cost of putting the question on the ballot in November.

Priest Theatre

Attorney Walker introduced a resolution to purchase the historic Priest Theatre from its current owners.

Acting City Manager Wilson said the funding has been received from the State to purchase and repair the building, but there is red tape that must be dealt with before construction can begin.

Miller emphasized the importance of repairing the roof before hurricane season.

Weitz said the plan is to vertically stabilize it, re-roof it, and sell it; the City doesn’t have all the appropriations money needed to reopen it as a theater, so that is not even an option.

Responding to a question from Commissioner Williams, Weitz said that selling the building is an option, but the City is not locked into that decision and could decide to use the building in some other way.

Weitz explained that the grant from the state is $1.04 million, and the purchase price of the building is about $347,000, leaving over $600,000 to structurally fix the building before selling it.

Grunder said there are interested parties, and they plan to sell it to someone “who has intent to keep it historical, and we can enter into a contract to make sure that stays that way for a period of time.”

Responding to an audience member who raised concerns about termite damage, Attorney Walker said the contract includes a 7-day due diligence period when the buyer may perform inspections and may cancel the contract if it is found to be defective or unsuitable.

A few members of the public spoke, all in favor of purchasing and preserving the building.

Motion

Commissioner Miller made a motion to approve the resolution to purchase the Priest Theatre, and Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 during a roll call vote.

General public comment

During public comments at the end of the meeting, a man addressed the Thomas Henry situation : “I can’t understand how somebody could be fired and he’s got 34 years on the job… I want to know how you can go on a job and work one week and get two or three weeks’ vacation… He said he would be here at least six months to evaluate all the employees. Now how can you come in here in a week and just fire somebody?… It was a crying shame.”

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