Apopka wants to extend alcohol sales to 7 days

APOPKA, Fla. — The city of Apopka wants to change its rules so businesses can sell alcohol seven days a week.

The proposed changes also allow the alcohol sales closer to schools, which is a significantly smaller buffer zone than what's on the books now.

In the nine-page proposal, WFTV also found out that same business would not be allowed to sell alcohol during school hours or an hour before or after school.

"How are you going to be able to police that hour before and that hour after school?" asked WFTV reporter Raquel Asa.

"Well, we find under our current ordinance our merchants are very compliant," said Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer.

"So you are just going to use the honor system?" Asa asked.

"Not just the honor system. Certainly, if we become aware that there is an issue our police force is very good at  understanding what people are doing in the community," Kilsheimer said.

WFTV checked with the city and only Dream Lake Elementary and Apopka Middle schools would be affected by the proposed changes.

Business owner Tony Goris is glad the city kept some restrictions in place, and that he got what he's wanted for his business: alcohol sales on Sunday.

"I think it's about time. I've been here 12 years and I never sold a beer on Sunday," said Goris.

Before alcohol sales can start on Sundays, the council needs to get taxpayers' input on the changes. A public hearing is scheduled during Wednesday's council meeting set to start at 1:30 p.m.

Alcohol sales on Sunday would only be allowed from noon to 9 p.m.

A pastor with the Apopka Ministerial Alliance said they understand the need for change, but he would have liked for the city to apply the buffer zone to churches and parks too, as it is under the current ordinance.

WFTV