TROY — The city of Troy council approved to allow adult beverages to be carried outdoors within a specified downtown area.

Troy City Council voted 7-2 on Monday to approve the ordinance to apply for a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area application. Council members Bill Rozell and Bill Twiss voted “no” for the DORA.

Troy’s DORA, if approved by the state, is 21 acres and is centered around the downtown area. The city’s second proposal narrowed down DORA hours to noon to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. There are no Sunday DORA sales or hours. The alcoholic beverages purchased with the official cup can be consumed outdoors within the DORA and only during official DORA hours.

If all legislation follows the proposed timeline, the DORA could be implemented as soon as April 15.

Several residents expressed their opinions of the DORA during the public comments prior to the vote.

Troy Main Street’s Executive Director Andrea Keller spoke in favor of the DORA and listed many downtown businesses that provided support to the council.

Troy’s First United Methodist Church Pastor Chris Heckaman said he knows “we live in the 21st century” and requested the DORA boundary lines “be refined” in regards to non-profits within and near the DORA district.

Heckaman gave an example of a recovery living facility in the Franklin Street area and other ministries near the DORA district. Heckaman said Troy has always been a destination for families and hosted great events over the years.

Joyce Demmitt spoke against the DORA proposal. She asked what example would be shown to young people with DORA allowing carrying around alcoholic beverages throughout the town.

“Troy is a family-friendly town. A family town,” said Demmitt, who said she doesn’t believe adding a DORA is a “good idea” for the community and businesses.

Troy resident Elaine Newman said, “I don’t see where it’s a good thing, I only see problems. I have celebrated many holidays in my 75 years and I never had to have an alcoholic drink with that. I don’t see where we have to bring it out in the public.”

John Henry, owner of Trojan City Music on East Main Street, said he thinks DORA is a great idea and believes it will benefit the business. The only concern Henry expressed was the amount of trash the cups may create and hoped they could be recycled some way.

Tim Krug, a recovery pastor, said he facilitates 10 meetings, seven days a week, for all addictions including alcohol and drug use.

Steve Staton, a 21 year resident of Troy, said, he loves Troy but he doesn’t support the DORA and “don’t think it’s who we are.”

Staton said he is a member of Troy United Methodist Church and supports pastors Krug and Heckaman.

“We have recovery ministries happening and we certainly don’t want this near our church,” Staton said.

In a DORA, alcoholic beverages can be purchased at one location, but cannot be carried into another establishment. Non-liquor establishments may permit or prohibit DORA beverages in their stores at their own discretion. The permit must be re-certified every five years, but the city proposes it will reevaluate the DORA at the end of 2021 if accepted.

Qualified permit holders would be the former Brewery, the Elks, The Redmen Club, Haren’s Market, Mojos Bar and Grille, Agave and Rye, Leaf and Vine, The Caroline, Studio 14 Creative Arts Center, The Submarine House, Moeller Brew Barn, Basils on Market, Tokyo Peking, and the One-Stop Drive-Thru. The former site of the Little York Tavern is also included in the proposed district.