Politics & Government

Package Store Petition Drive May Soon Be Underway in Dacula

Person with experience in the alcohol industry has expressed interest in building a package store within the city limits.

Just months after , Dacula residents may soon be asked another alcohol sales related question.

According to , an individual with experience in the alcohol industry has approached the city regarding building a package store within the city limits.

In a post on the City of Dacula website, Dacula Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks wrote, “City staff explained the legal requirements, and the person has chosen to continue with the first step in the legal process, a petition drive.”

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Wilbanks noted the city receives several questions each year regarding package stores and added the petition drive is not an initiative of the city.

When reached by email, Wilbanks indicated the petitioner intends to go door-to-door collecting signatures. Wilbanks explained the petitioner would need to get signatures from 35 percent of the city’s registered voters (approximately 900 voters) and have the signatures verified by the state in order for the issue to be put to a referendum.

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The petitioner hopes to obtain enough signatures to have the referendum added to the November ballot, Wilbanks wrote.

Even if the petitioner obtains enough signatures and the referendum passes, there is no guarantee a license would be issued.

Wilbanks explained that if the issue makes it on the ballot and passes, the process would still not be complete. Before a package store could open, the city’s alcohol ordinance would first have to be revised. The city would then begin the process of vetting applications, approving licensees and submitting required paperwork to the state. At a minimum, a petitioner would then have to go through the development permit/building permit process, apply for an occupational tax certificate and pass subsequent inspections required for the issuance of an occupational tax certificate, Wilbanks indicated. 

If the petition drive is successful and the issue is placed on the November ballot, will you vote to allow package stores within the city limits of Dacula? If you are not a city resident, would you like to see a package store built in Dacula? Let us know in the comments.


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