If approved by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners later this month, many changes to the Cobb County Code would affect alcohol fines, public intoxication, conduct at athletic/special events, fireworks, lighting direction, medical burn ban restrictions, mowing and zoning notices.
The final public hearing and expected vote will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Board of Commissioners meeting room, second floor, 100 Cherokee St., Marietta, affecting about 30 pages of the county code.
Alcoholic beverage fine increases: Instead of one fee, progressive fines would be added if additional alcoholic beverage violations are made within 12 months of each offense - in place of going to the county's Alcohol License Review Board:
- $1,500 for the first offense.
- $3,000 for the second offense.
- $6,000 for the third offense.
- $12,000 for the fourth offense.
- $24,000 for the fifth offense.
- an automatic 14-day suspension if six or more offenses with appeals to the Alcohol License Review Board.
Public intoxication: It would be unlawful to be in any public place or place of business when in a state of intoxication.
Disorderly conduct at athletic/special events: Cobb law enforcement also would be able to enforce custodial arrest at athletic and special events for disorderly conduct and keeping unauthorized personnel from entering restricted event areas.
Fireworks: Consumer fireworks would be banned between 9 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Lighting direction: Stray lighting onto nearby properties would be eliminated or reduced. Lighting plans would need to be approved by the zoning division staff.
Medical burn ban restrictions: No burning in a chimenea, fire bowl or an outdoor fireplace or fire department practice burns would be allowed within a medical burn ban radius of 1,000 feet.
Mowing: Private property owners would be responsible for mowing weeds in utility easements on their property.
Zoning notices: Public notices and advertisements of zoning hearings would be postmarked 30 days before the Planning Commission hearing date instead of 15 days.
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