Communion wine may not be the only alcohol near downtown churches if a city ordinance gets altered.
The City Plan Board passed a petition to change an ordinance that forbid bars to set up shop within 300 feet of a church or other religious establishment anywhere within city limits.
If changed, the ordinance will get rid of the distance requirement between bars and places of religious assembly only within the central city district and the tourist-oriented district, said Bob Woods, city spokesman.
The central city district is an area of downtown bordered by Northwest and Southwest Sixth Streets and Northeast and Southeast Third Streets.
It encompasses Bo Diddley Community Plaza, the Hippodrome State Theatre and multiple restaurants and bars. The tourist-oriented district refers to a small area on Southwest 13th Street near Williston Road.
The idea to exclude downtown Gainesville from the rule was offered after downtown business owners told city staff they were concerned with the current ordinance, according to a document written by the staff.
If the current ordinance does not change, new bars will still be required to set up at least 300 feet away from a religious establishment, according to a city document about the change.
"I'm not going to say I'd love to have a bar right next to us, but we haven't had a problem with any of them in the past," said the Rev. Louanne Loch, rector at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
The church, located at 100 NE First St., is across the street from the downtown plaza and next to City Hall.
Loch said she understands downtown is a community of businesses that need to help one another out.
"As long as it doesn't cause lewd behavior around the church, I am fine with it," she said. "But if these problems arise, then we will have to address them."
