Zelienople leaders approve alcohol ban ordinance with minor changes

ZELIENOPLE, Pa. — The borough of Zelienople has approved an open container ordinance, which has been controversial from the start.

Leaders proposed it last month, and small businesses immediately started a petition against it. However, the borough passed the ordinance Monday night.

“If you’re taking away from your ability to bring people into this town to sell yourself as a town, maybe people won’t come as much anymore,” said Grant McCabe, owner of Fisher’s Bar & Grill.

McCabe told Channel 11 he fears this could hurt the Open Air Market, a huge event in town. Every Thursday during the summer, vendors come out, there is live music, and usually people walk around drinking beer from their favorite breweries.

The major update in the proposed ordinance is they still can.

After getting feedback from businesses and the community, the borough changed part of the ordinance so that event would not be impacted. Police Chief James Miller told Channel 11 they removed the section on banning alcohol on public streets and sidewalks.

Miller said under the ordinance, alcohol will be prohibited at parks and parking lots for liability reasons. That means people can’t have parties or tailgate with booze unless they get the proper permits.

The ordinance will go into effect immediately.

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