LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A petition circulating in Louisville's Highlands neighborhood could change how some bars operate by requiring them to generate most of their revenue from food sales instead of alcohol.
Residents in three precincts near Bardstown Road filed notices Monday seeking what's known as a "moist" election, according to the Jefferson County Clerk's Office.
On Tuesday, residents in five additional precincts inquired about joining the effort, potentially expanding the proposal to much of the Bardstown Road corridor between Highland Avenue and Sherwood Avenue.
If approved by voters, bars in the affected precincts would be required to generate at least 70% of their revenue from food sales to serve alcohol.
"This would be the first time we've ever had a moist election," Sally Williamson with the Jefferson County Clerk's Office said. "We've always had wet-dry elections that either wanted to go totally wet or totally dry."
Supporters of the petition said the proposal is aimed at addressing late-night disturbances and violence that have occurred outside some Highlands bars in recent years.
Highlands resident Aruna Keswani said she sees both advantages and disadvantages to the proposal.
"I think there's pros and cons to it," Keswani said. "If you have bars that serve food, it's great having late-night snacks, having that option."
However, Keswani, who previously worked as a bartender and server, said the requirement could be difficult for businesses that rely on late-night alcohol sales.
"You have people that stay out late, and you make money late," she said.
Other residents questioned whether bars should bear the burden for problems that often occur outside their businesses.
"The commotion that bothers us in the neighborhood happens in the middle of the street," resident Madeline Reno said. "They don't have control over that, so why would they get the consequences of this?"
The Louisville Hospitality Association also criticized the proposal.
In a statement, the organization said the decision to pursue a moist election in the precincts "is ill-advised and will not fix the issue of violence in our city," adding that the measure could negatively affect as many as 27 businesses along the Bardstown Road corridor.
Keswani said she hopes residents and business owners can find a compromise.
"I would like to try to figure out a way to work with those businesses and make things more doable to help the residents and the business owners and to keep everybody safe," she said.
Before the measure can appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, organizers must collect enough valid signatures from registered voters in each affected precinct to qualify for a moist election.
The full statement from the Louisville Hospitality Association can be viewed below:
"The Louisville Hospitality Association and it's members have gone above and beyond to work directly with our neighbors in the Highlands to combat violence and unruly behavior. The decision to pursue a moist vote in these precincts is ill advised and will not fix the issues of violence in our city! Further, this will negatively impact up to 27 businesses, causing complete closures. Hundreds of hard working employees will lose their jobs, hundreds of thousands in tax revenue will be lost and 20+ vacant buildings will create huge crash in property values. This is an extreme response to a nationwide problem. Nobody benefits in this situation. We encourage the parties pushing a local option to consider the broad negative impact on the hospitality community. Punishing law abiding small businesses is never the solution!"
