In an eventful Wednesday meeting, Statesboro City Council agreed to allow citizens make the ultimate determination regarding Sunday alcohol sales, finalized new voting districts, settled on a mutual-aid fire agreement with Bulloch County and approved an amendment clearing the way for a new shopping center.
    During the regularly scheduled meeting in City Hall’s council chambers, city representatives voted unanimously to allow referendum questions pertaining to Sunday sales of alcohol appear on November ballots.
    A little more than two months after Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law Senate Bill 10 — which grants local communities the right to determine whether alcohol may be sold on Sundays — city council members decided to allow residents resolve the issue later this year.
    Wednesday, Council approved resolutions calling for two separate referendum questions to appear on ballots November 8. One referendum would allow package sales (in grocery and convenient stores) Sundays after 1 p.m.; the other would permit alcohol sales by the drink in restaurants after 1 p.m. on a Sunday.
    The decision to allow referendums, according to members of council, is a result of the public’s expressed interest in permitting Sunday sales.
     “I have had so many citizens come up to me and say that they’d like to vote on the issue themselves,” said Councilman John Riggs. “This will allow people to vote yes or no, and put the issue to rest.”
    “I feel like the citizens need to be the ones making the decision,” said Councilman Travis Chance. “I’m glad the issue will be left in the hands of the people who need to make it.”
    Council also moved one step closer to completing a process that will reform the city’s five voting districts. Three weeks after approving the Department of Community Development’s final attempt at redrawing the city’s district map — to reapportion populations in the wake of 2010 Census results revealed in April — Council approved a second and final reading of the plan.
    City council members will call a special meeting Tuesday July 12, to approve the minutes documenting Wednesday’s vote, to include in a pre-clearance package sent to the United States Department of Justice — who is tasked with approving new districts before municipalities can implement them.
    If the map garners approval prior to an August 29 qualifying date for elections, the city will implement new districts for November’s general election; if not, current districts will be used, said Mandi Cody, Director of Community Development.
    City officials also decided Wednesday to approve a new contract between Statesboro and Bulloch County to cooperate in providing fire services for the county’s five-mile fire district — the area within a five mile radius outside Statesboro’s city limits.
    The new, two-year mutual aid agreement will allow the Statesboro Fire Department to continue providing fire services to the area in exchange for monies paid by the County — the area generates an estimated $850,000 yearly, said City Manager Frank Parker. Bulloch County will retain $120,000 each year to better its fire services and cooperate in providing support to the five-mile district.
    Opening the door for a purchase at the intersection of Fair and Tillman roads by CVS/Pharmacy, Council also approved an amendment to rezone a 3.35-tract of land as a commercial retail area.
    Council voted unanimously to grant the amendment, which will allow for the development of a shopping center at a location that currently features Snooky’s Restaurant, Andrew’s Klean Korner, a tanning salon, part of an apartment complex and various offices.
    According to Parker, the center will feature a two-store — instead of four as originally stated — complex that includes CVS/Pharmacy and a new Andrew’s location.
    The purchase of land leaves the fate of Snooky’s, a renowned restaurant in Statesboro for more than 40 years, unclear.
    The most recent development plan still includes the Snooky’s building. Owner Bruce Yawn has not commented on the rezoning or possible changes to the restaurant.
    Statesboro City Council will next meet for a regular session in City Hall July 19 at 6 p.m. 
   
    Jeff Harrison can be reached at 912-489-9454.