Shadyside council clears air about DORA
SHADYSIDE -- The village of Shadyside now has a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA.
The DORA extends from Carlini’s Pizza Shop to DeFelice Brothers Pizza along the village’s historic Loop.
According to the Ohio Department of Commerce, a DORA is a defined public area where Ohio’s open-container laws are relaxed under the Ohio Revised Code.
Within a DORA, patrons may purchase an alcoholic beverage from a qualifying on-premises permit holder, such as a bar or restaurant, carry it outside the establishment and continue consuming it within the designated area.
In January, Councilman Brandon Parr announced plans to create a DORA committee and began gathering information and developing a plan for the village, its business owners and residents.
During a special meeting July 2, council voted to establish the DORA.
At Monday’s regular meeting, resident Rich Parker asked council members about how the DORA will operate.
"I’m hearing a lot of rumors about this DORA. Can you give us some specifications on how it’s going to take place and how many days a week it will be," Parker asked.
Mayor Mike Meintel said council has discussed the proposal and its details during every meeting since Parr formed the DORA committee.
Meintel then deferred to Parr to answer the question.
Parr said the DORA will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Parker said he was surprised the DORA would operate daily and asked whether police would monitor the area.
"Are you asking if the police are going to sit at the end of the area and patrol that? I would say that the answer is probably going to be no," Parr said. "It’s going to be patrolled just like any open container would be."
Meintel added that establishing a DORA does not eliminate laws governing open containers, public intoxication or disorderly conduct.
"I’ll be very honest with you, it’s going to be the people who go for a smoke. If they’re in a bar and have a beer, instead of leaving their beer in the bar, they’re going to go and have a smoke and carry a beer with them," Meintel said. "You may see it when we have special events like we had this Saturday. You might see people walking around with DORA cups, but this is restricted to a specific area."
Village Solicitor Kelly Kotur said one benefit of the DORA ordinance is that council can amend it if changes become necessary.
“I think a lot of people are thinking that Shadyside is going to look like New Orleans or Mardi Gras, and that’s just not what it’s going to be," Parr said.
Police Chief Don Collette echoed Meintel’s comments, saying he believes most participants will be patrons stepping outside local bars to smoke while carrying their drinks.
"DORA's just giving them a little extra leeway, and like he said, if you want to go out and smoke with your drink you can," Collette said.
Collette added that each participating establishment will have its own branded DORA cups to help identify where customers purchased their beverages.
Meintel also applauded Councilwoman Melanie Haswell, who was absent from Monday’s meeting, for organizing the successful America 250 festival held over the weekend.
He said the event drew visitors from across the Ohio Valley to enjoy the festival’s attractions.
Meintel added that several vendors and bar owners told him sales were strong during the festival.
CUTLINE
Shadyside officials discussed the village’s newly established Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, during Monday’s council meeting, explaining how it will operate and emphasizing that existing public safety laws will remain in effect.