Two recent exceptions granted by the board of aldermen may pave the way for edits to the city’s beer permit ordinance.

     At their Aug. 7 board meeting, aldermen provisionally waived a one-year waiting period for two local restaurants pending successful completion of background checks.

     Ward Six Alderman David Phillips voiced initial support for the move, citing the fact that national chains can receive a license immediately.

     “It’s a competitive advantage over local owners,” Phillips said. “It’s a flaw in the ordinance. There are lots of flaws in the ordinance.”

     The city’s ordinance explicitly allows national franchises to receive a license to serve beer for on-site consumption immediately, but requires local businesses to be open a minimum of a year before receiving such a license.

     Several other aldermen seemed in agreement on the issue, though Ward Three Alderman Mary Wilson voted against issuing the permits. It is her practice to oppose issuing all beer permits.

     Mayor Les Bumgarner was absent from the Aug. 7 board meeting, but when contacted this week, he did not take a stance on removing the one-year waiting period.

     “I don’t think I have an opinion on that,” Bumgarner said. “(Aldermen) get to write the ordinances.”

     Bumgarner added, though, that if the board intends to keep issuing exceptions, they should go ahead and just rewrite the ordinance.

     When asked about the issue this week, Phillips repeated his support for changes to the city’s current beer laws.

     “Those things were written in the ’60s,” Phillips said. “That’s one of the flaws we have.”

     Phillips voiced support for serious revisions.

     “I think as we move forward we will rewrite our entire ordinance,” Phillips said.

     Phillips also suggested shrinking the distance beer serving businesses must be churches, at least in the city’s heaviest commercial districts, such as Brookhaven Boulevard.

     In prior meetings, Ward Five Alderman D.W. Maxwell has also been particularly vocal in his support of loosening some requirements. He has suggested removing a requirement that business owners get signatures of consent from surrounding property owners and lowering the distances businesses must be from churches and schools before they may sell beer.

     The board formally voted to allow The Iron Horse Restaurant to receive a beer license if the background check of owner Gregg Woodcox came out clear. Woodcox explained to board members his building lease began August of 2011, but he did not open for business until December of 2011.

     The board also heard a request from the operating partners of the newly opened Los Parrilleros Mexican Grille. The board expressed intent to offer the business an exception, but did not formally vote on the matter at Police Chief Pap Henderson’s request.

     Other alcohol-related discussion by aldermen in recent months has centered on a state law allowing some cities in dry counties to hold liquor referendums. City leaders haven’t taken a public stance on a referendum and have made it clear a push for a referendum needs to come from private residents.