NORFOLK-- City Council, Tuesday night, decided to allow an Ocean View restaurant to extend its hours from 11 p.m. to midnight weekdays and from midnight to 1 a.m. on weekends.
The vote marks an easing of the city's stance on alcohol consumption in Ocean View, a policy that has been in place there for almost twenty years.
According to the Virginian Pilot, critics said the policy was unfair to new businesses trying to gain a foothold in the area. Older businesses which were operating before the policy went into place can stay open until 2 a.m.
Councilman Tommy Spigiel led the push to extend the hours saying he had met with residents and an overwhelming majority of them said they favored it.
Councilman Barclay C. Winn voted against the measure voicing his wish for an overall, more comprehensive ordinance regarding hours for establishments that serve alcohol.
The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended denial because the proposal is contrary to the council's policy.
