The Sarasota City Commission grapples with proposed zoning changes for downtown establishments, seeking to redefine the distinctions between restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The amendments aim to prevent potential misclassifications and ensure clarity in operations, hours, and outdoor seating. Notably, the debate revolves around Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch's stance on requiring an on-site kitchen for a venue to be classified as a restaurant and her concerns about defining outdoor bars based on activity rather than the location of the bar counter. Read more about the proposed changes and their potential impact on downtown establishments: https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2024/jan/20/defining-bars-clubs-restaurants-city-amendment/