City Council grants liquor sales variance
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

At its regular meeting Monday night, Gulf Breeze City Council approved a variance to allow liquor sales at the Publix Supermarket in the Sea Shell Collections Shopping Center.

Jeff Peck, representing Publix Super Markets, presented a power point detailing the chain's organization and selfpolicing to the council.

In accordance with city staff's proposed stipulations, no signage would be allowed advertising the liquor store, and no electronic signs would be allowed in windows advertising liquor brands or products. Publix Liquor Store hours would be held to no more than the hours of business of the grocery store, and Peck pledged that the liquor sales would actually probably commence a few hours after the store opens.

"No one is here from the school system across the street, No one is here from the churches next door, no one is here from the police department," challenged Wayne Wheatley, Gulf Breeze business owner and Pensacola Beach resident. "I think the logic behind the ordinance is to not subject children and churches to liquor sales. This property is bordered on three sides by either churches or schools." Wheatley's son and wife also spoke against the variance.

Council man Dick Fulford voted against the variance. "I have to ask myself, 'Am I doing this for the community or for business?' I believe in the integrity of the ordinance, it is still a good thing today."

Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin "Buzz" Eddy asserted that the variance allowing the liquor sales at Publix allowed for more strict guidelines as to hours of operation and signage.

"We will be able to restrict Publix more due to the variance, even more than otherwise allowed. The two sites allowable by ordinance are also at high-traffic areas at the bases of the two bridges," Eddy said. "Staff really believes that this location will be more in the interest of the public."

Wheatley, who owns a liquor license under the name Pier One Bait and Tackle, could not be contacted to determine if he still intends to open a liquor store on his property at the base of the Three Mile Bridge.

Council also adopted a moratorium on all building, landscaping and painting in the Community Redevelopment District until the CRA plan is completed and applicability standards could be set for the design guidelines.