Forsyth commissioners talk about alcohol, golf carts

A new ordinance in Forsyth County will make it easier for growler and wine vendors to be competitive with neighboring counties, business owners say. CONTRIBUTED BY SWEETWATER BREWING CO.

A new ordinance in Forsyth County will make it easier for growler and wine vendors to be competitive with neighboring counties, business owners say. CONTRIBUTED BY SWEETWATER BREWING CO.

Forsyth County Commissioners tweaked the county’s alcohol ordinance to the benefit of wine and growler sellers but put off allowing personal transportation vehicle on some streets pending further study.

Commissioners approved changes that remove the requirement that wine and beer tastings be segregated from parts of a business where package beer and wine are sold. They also eliminated a provision restricting tastings to eight days a month.

The owner of a wine and cheese shop asked for the changes, saying they would make them more competitive with neighboring counties.

Commissioners also weighed an ordinance that would allow personal transportation vehicles-commonly known as golf carts-on some public paths and streets. It would enable homeowners associations to petition the county to allow carts on interior roads of a subdivision.

The group delayed consideration until a subsequent work session after county attorney Ken Jarrard said staff had raised concerns about which department would handle the changes and how signage applications would be processed.