A decision by the Sevier County Beer Board to deny Weigel's, Inc. a permit to sell beer at a new location on the corner of Chapman Highway and Boyd's Creek Road will be challenged in court, according to Sevier County Commissioner and beer board President Bill Oakes.

The Powell-based company approached the beer board seeking a permit to sell beer at a new convenience store location in Seymour, but was denied based on an ordinance set by the county commission stating that a permit will not be granted to any operation within 2,000 feet of a public gathering place in Seymour. The ordinance defines a public gathering place as parks, schools, libraries, churches, cemeteries, or any place where people meet.

The lawsuit filed by Weigel's attorney Steve Marshall claims the rule has been violated in the past and therefore is no longer valid.

 According to state law, it is the county commission's responsibility to define the ordinance whether it span county-wide, or is decided on an individual basis. In Sevier County's case, the ordinance is different in several of its towns. Gatlinburg currently has a rule that claims 0 feet from a public gathering place, and Sevierville's ordinance claims 300 feet.

In Seymour, Oakes says, the rule is 2,000 feet. The property on which Weigel's aimed to build its new station is within 2,000 feet of the Seymour Christian Church.

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