By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Up through World War II and to about 1950, Gwinnett County was a relatively quiet, rural community merely near Atlanta. Then with the beginning of growth of Atlanta, Gwinnett began to see its own growth, though early on it was incidental, not wide open as it became later.
The reasons for much of its growth was centered on available relatively cheap land to build homes and businesses. The warehouse-distribution facilities led some of the early growth of Gwinnett. Eventually more upscale businesses, including the emerging technology arena, propelled the growth. Finally, with the arrival of its first mall at Gwinnett Place in 1984, Gwinnett emerged as a retail center; today it is one of the most robust of Georgia counties in overall retail sales.
During much of this growth, Gwinnett has seen relatively little entertainment and club activities. Many complained that this was an element missing in Gwinnett, as local citizens enjoyed this, but had to travel toward Atlanta to socialize in nightlife.
But no more. The growth of alcoholic beverage outlets and adult entertainment spots is now part of the Gwinnett scene.
That’s why a recent announcement that adult bookstores, pornographic theaters and strip clubs will be restricted to industrial areas in Gwinnett County from now on is good news.
Gwinnett County has passed legislation that will limit where such businesses can transact their activities. The businesses are also now barred from opening near tax-allocation districts, community improvement districts and activity centers, such as the Mall of Georgia and the Infinite Energy Center. The bans on such businesses in commercial areas is part of an overhaul county commissioners approved last week for adult-oriented businesses.
The new rules mark the first time in 14 years that the ordinances regulating adult-oriented businesses in Gwinnett County have been updated, Planning and Development Director Bryan Lackey says.
“It is time,” Lackey says. “The popping up of (adult novelty store Tokyo Valentino Erotique) on Pleasant Hill Road prompted us to have to take a good look at our ordinance …. to make sure we could fully regulate that store.”
Overall, this is good for Gwinnett. It means that owners of such establishments can no longer take advantage of the previously lax or silent Gwinnett rules on where they locate their operations.
So while we applaud this action by the Gwinnett County Commissioners, we feel that they need to shore up other rules, especially one regarding the operations of what is generally known as “bars.” Current Gwinnett rules allow these establishments to remain open until 5 a.m.
As GwinnettForum has noted before, there is not a lot of commendable activity that goes on in drinking establishments between midnight and 5 a.m. In fact, we doubt that much “economic development” or any thing else we consider “good” goes in such places well into these dark hours. And think of people headed to work at 5 a.m. who could be killed by patrons leaving the bar at closing time!
In fact, regulation of these establishments is one of GwinnettForum’s Continuing Objectives for Gwinnett County. It reads: “Stronger regulation of late-night establishments with alcoholic licenses.”
We reiterate this Objective and ask that the county commissioners take further action to regulate the hours that these “bars” can operate. We suggest that our county would be in much better condition if these bars were closed at least at 3 a.m., if not 2 a.m.
It’s what the majority of the people of Gwinnett would want.
Take action, Gwinnett Commissioners!
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