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Lauderdale To Consider Allowing Booze On The Beach

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – From "Where the boys are" to "Spring Break Capital of the World" to a more family, friendly upscale environ, Ft. Lauderdale Beach has changed over the years.

This week, the city's commission will consider a new change. On Tuesday, they will discuss whether or not to allow hotels and restaurants along State Road A1A to serve their guests and public alcohol on the beach in front of their businesses, according to the Sun-Sentinel. The proposal would also allow for beachgoers to bring their own booze.

The proposal to allow alcohol on the beach has received the endorsement of the beach district's business community who feel it's about time for this world class vacation destination.

This is not the first time serving alcohol on the beach has come before the commission. Two years ago, they ended a Sunday morning alcohol ban so the hotels and restaurants could serve alcohol during their Sunday brunches.

Some beach residents aren't thrilled with the idea because there could be law suits if the city tries to limit drinking on the beach.

Under the proposal, restaurants and hotels who receive the necessary permit could serve food and alcoholic beverages in a zone in front of their properties. The service would be restricted to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors could also drink beverages they brought in the approved zones.

The proposal also calls for certain "dry periods", such as during Spring Break, when no alcohol would be allowed on the beach.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler told the paper he doesn't know if the proposal will work. He's cautious about just how far the city should go and doesn't want public drinking on the beach to get out of hand.

He points out that some special events have served alcohol on the beach without incident so he's willing to look at a proposal which would involve booze on the beach in a limited way.

The Sun-Sentinel contributed to this report.

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