Columbiana City Council is considering creating a second Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) at the request of TownCenter at Firestone Farms, according to a release from the City Manager.

According to the release, the request was put in by TownCenter to facilitate their operations, which include a wide variety of outdoor events and concerts.

DORAs are areas designated by local area authorities which allow the DORA to be exempt from certain open container provisions, allowing the open sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, so long as the products are sold by properly licensed vendors. 

Columbiana City Manager Lance Willard says, "Columbiana City Council discussed adding a second DORA, at the July 18th Council Meeting. The original idea was to include the immediate area near Town Center which has become a destination for many wanting to enjoy entertainment and dining."

That original plan has since expanded to include the Red Brick Commons area and across State Route 14 towards the 1880 Barn and Vagabond Village. Willard does note that while the proposed DORA does cross the road, there is no intention of road crossings taking place during DORA events. 

Communities under 50,000 persons can only have three DORAs encompassing a maximum of 350 acres. Willard says that the new DORA proposal, which covers about 87 acres, will not affect the size or status of the City's first DORA in the Historic Downtown Shopping District.

For now, the plan is only proposed, and will be further discussed by the City Council at their August 15th Council meeting.