The Iowa City City Council approved an amendment, requested by Iowa City restaurant Blackstone, to allow alcohol to be served within a certain distance of a residential zone.

The amendment was passed 6-0, with Councilor Terry Dickens not present, on Tuesday.

The amendment changes the City Code to allow outdoor service areas serving alcohol to operate in a CC-2 zone within 100 feet of a residential zone.

This was prohibited by the code before this amendment.

These service areas will only be able to operate if they are associated with a restaurant, only operate while food is served, have an occupancy limit no more than 30 persons, and have their lighting plan approved by the city manager.

— by Daniel Seidl