§ 347.14 Liquor Sales Stores
   (a)   Purpose. This section permits the location and operation of liquor sales stores as necessary to achieve the following:
      (1)   Protect the character of residential areas and to safeguard the economic health of local business districts;
      (2)   Protect the welfare of community facilities which provide on-premise services to children and families; and
      (3)   Promote traffic safety and general public safety.
   (b)   Applicability. Unless otherwise provided, this section shall apply to any “liquor sales store,” as defined herein, established on or after the initial effective date of this section, through the establishment of a new business or business activity, or conversion from State ownership to private ownership.
   (c)   Definition. For purposes of this section, “liquor sales store” means any business establishment which engages in the retail sale of “spirituous liquor”, as defined in RC 4301.01(B)(5), in sealed containers for consumption off the premises of such store.
   (d)   Zoning Districts. Liquor sales stores shall be permitted only in General Retail, Shopping Center, Semi-Industry and General Industry zoning districts, except that any such store in operation immediately prior to the initial effective date of this section may continue in operation or be converted to private ownership, in accordance with any and all sections of the Codified Ordinances pertaining to non-conforming uses.
   (e)   Prohibited Signs. The following signs shall be prohibited for use at all liquor sales stores:
      (1)   Flashing, moving or revolving signs; portable signs; and strings of pennants, propellers, pinwheels, streamers, balloons and similar small objects;
      (2)   Any signs in violation of RC 4301.22(F) or any rule promulgated by the Department of Liquor Control.
   (f)   Drive-Through Facilities. No liquor sales store shall sell spirituous liquor products through a drive-through window or other device which permits sales to motorists in their vehicles.
   (g)   Landscaping and Screening. No Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued for a liquor sales store which does not meet all landscaping and screening regulations established in Chapter 352 of the Codified Ordinances for either a new use or a change of use, as applicable, in accordance with the provisions of division (b) of Section 352.07. This requirement shall not, however, apply to a liquor sales store which is located on a parcel shared by two (2) or more other businesses which are not liquor sale stores if such liquor sales store was in operation immediately prior to the initial effective date of this section.
(Ord. No. 960-95. Passed 6-19-95, eff. 6-28-95)