The New Orleans City Council set out to douse concerns that there is a conspiracy to deprive Crescent City drinkers of go-cups. The joint statement, that originated in councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer’s office and was released Monday, reads:
“We write to clarify a misconception that there is a collective or concerted effort to ban to-go cups. For over ten years, the City Planning Commission and City Council have adopted provisos regulating to-go cups on a case by case basis when the requesting businesses are located in or adjacent to residential districts. These provisos protect nearby residents from unnecessary trash in front of their homes by patrons of restaurants and bars. But again, there is no blanket prohibition of to-go cups. For example, the recently created St. Claude Arts and Cultural Overlay District (from Press St. to Poland St.) regulations allow newly permitted businesses to have to-go cups as long as the name of the business is printed on the cup. In other cases, it has been determined that a to-go cup prohibition is better suited for the surrounding neighborhood. It is not unusual or irrational to place a provision on a new alcoholic beverage business that is seeking a conditional use so that it may sell alcohol next to or in residential neighborhoods.”
The council issued the statement in the aftermath of a flurry of social media and press attention when it became clear that go-cups are no longer given in Crescent City Drinking and Dining establishments. New Orleans is one of the few places in the country where leaving a bar or restaurant with an alcoholic beverage in a disposable cup is allowed.
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