The possibility that Griffin’s alcohol ordinance would be amended to allow entertainment venues downtown raised a lot of conversation at the Griffin Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.

“We originally talked about this last month, about the potential manufacturing of alcohol,” said Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Adam Causey.

The possibility that a business selling alcohol would be set up in a renovated building owned by Woody Heath on the corner of Hill Street and Taylor Street came up. Heath has not made a decision as to what will go there.

Commissioner Doug Hollberg asked about the distance requirements, due to the proximity of First Baptist Church. City Attorney Drew Whalen said the laws imposing a distance requirement apply only to package stores, not places where alcohol is consumed on-site. The only distance requirements imposed on on-site consumption relate to housing authorities and rehabilitation centers, which would not be an issue downtown.

Commissioner Joanne Todd expressed concerns about drunks hassling people and relieving themselves in public at First Baptist Church.

“That’s illegal anyway,” Causey said.

Todd replied there might not be the money available to fund additional police.

“Keep in mind there is no decision made tonight,” City Manager Kenny Smith said. “All there is is a public hearing.”

Causey said there would be a vote on amending the city alcohol ordinance at the end of March. The previous vote affected the zoning ordinance only, to encourage the establishment of the micro-distillery.

In the evening, several city residents spoke their minds about the possibility the alcohol ordinance could be changed.

Michael Thurston was the first to speak. He said they were all looking forward to Griffin becoming a college town but said he did not want alcohol to interfere with the town’s development.

Shannon Herren, who ran for the seat currently held by Commissioner Ryan McLemore, spoke next. She said most college students are underage and the city should be careful it does not encourage underage drinking. She also said word about the public hearing had not spread far, beyond the micro-distillery issue. She asked that a second public meeting be held so more people could speak their minds.

David Castile, who sits on the city planning and zoning board, agreed that the meeting needed to be more publicized. However, he said when he grew up, there were a number of places selling beer in Griffin that did not sell food.

“If we had it 50 years ago, when I came of age, I don’t see what harm it can do today,” he said.

Rev. Clay Padgett of Crown Center Church said not enough information was given out. He said although he knows Griffin is a college town and college students like to drink, he does not want downtown full of bars.

Todd and Commissioner Dick Morrow expressed their support for a second public hearing on the matter.

Causey emphasized the goal of the Downtown Development Authority is to create a balanced downtown with business and residential.

“We’re not trying to create a downtown frat house,” he said.