A constant headache for the Shreveport City Council is the permitting of new liquor stores.
Many efforts have been made by the Council through the years to clarify the process. And no matter what steps have been taken, including a moratorium, the continual fuss has not subsided.
An example of an extreme position taken on liquor stores is a bill filed by Representative Tammy Phelps in the current session of the Louisiana Legislature. Her House Bill 481 would prohibit the issuance of permits for the sale of high or low alcoholic beverages within the boundaries of her House District 3 from August 1, 2025, through December 31, 2030.
The Shreveport City Council approved an amendment to the Shreveport Unified Development Code (UDC) at its last meeting on April 8. Here is the new amendment affecting the issuance of permits for liquor sales:
"No more than two Liquor Sales establishments shall be located within a one square mile area of an approved Liquor Sales location, as measured from the property boundary of the approved location. Any more than two establishments located within the one square mile area will be strictly prohibited. A location will be considered included in the count if any portion of the property boundary of an existing use or proposed use encroaches into the above described one square mile area."
This new restriction should provide objective criteria that will be helpful to applicants, the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), and the City Council. As with most e governmental regulations there is a need for some exception(s) to this new restriction.
As acknowledged at the council meeting, the sale of liquor in big box locations, including grocery stores, does need some tweaking. The example given at the meeting was the approved permit for liquor sales at the new Total Wine store that will soon be opening in the old Conn's HomePlus store at 7081 Youree Drive.
Any amendment to the UDC is a lengthy process. It is a two reader that must first be approved by the MPC Board. Upon approval the amendment is forwarded to the Shreveport City Council for adoption and this amendment is also a two reader.
MPC Executive Director Alan Clarke promised quick action on the amendment requested by the council. Even with all due haste, this change will not be on the books for a few months. Hopefully this effort will not get bogged down at either the MPC or the council.