Genoa Township to Vote In November on UDF Liquor Permit
Genoa Township to Decide Lone Liquor Option This Fall
The only liquor issue facing local voters this November is a proposal in Genoa Township, where residents will decide whether the United Dairy Farmers store, located just north of Westerville, should receive a C2 permit in addition to its existing C1 permit. Approval would allow the store to sell wine and mixed beverages for carryout, but not for on-site drinking or spirituous liquor without an additional license.
The lack of other ballot measures in Westerville highlights a broader issue: the city has used up its supply of D5 permits — the standard license for restaurants and bars serving beer, wine, and liquor on-site — and is also running low on other licenses. This shortage has limited the chances for new full-service establishments to open, even as the demand for dining and entertainment continues to grow.
Community Entertainment Districts in Westerville
To alleviate pressure from permit shortages, the City Council recently approved two Community Entertainment Districts (CEDs), special zones where state law permits a limited number of additional liquor permits to encourage business growth.
The Uptown CED, encompassing 44 acres, will include eight D5J permits. A D5J permit allows restaurants or bars within a CED to sell spirituous liquor, beer, and wine for on-premise consumption — similar to a standard D5 license, but specifically linked to the district.
The East of Africa/Westar CED, covering 144 acres, mainly includes the East of Africa development project. A large “finger” of the district extends across Africa Road, encompassing the recently opened Smash Park — which already operates under a TREXed permit — and businesses on the opposite side of Polaris Parkway. The size of this district qualifies it for the maximum allocation of 15 D5J permits.
Although not part of the traditional state quota, D5J permits within a CED are limited by acreage. The rule is one D5J permit for every five acres, with a maximum of 15 permits per district. Westerville’s two districts — Uptown at 44 acres and East of Africa/Westar at 144 acres — collectively provide space for 23 new restaurants and entertainment venues.
An individual business within a CED must still apply for and receive approval for a specific permit from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, just like any other establishment. Being located within a CED does not automatically authorize the sale of alcohol, and local option election laws must still be followed. The D5J permits issued by a CED are limited to that district and cannot be transferred outside its boundaries.
A traditional permit can also be bought and transferred to a location within a CED. Other state-issued permits — including C-class (carryout), D-class (on-premise), and A-class (manufacturing) — are still available to businesses inside a CED as long as they are obtained legally.
Current allocation of Westerville liquor permits, showing D1, D2, D3, and D5 quotas.
Comparison of current permit quotas and the new permits made available through Community Entertainment Districts.
Local Control Still Decides
Despite these changes, voter control remains a key factor in how alcohol permits are issued in Westerville. Ohio’s local-option system mandates that only the precincts that originally voted to uphold Prohibition must approve any new liquor licensing; this means decisions like the UDF C2 permit are made by the residents of that specific precinct, not the entire city or county. Each vote represents a community-level decision, ensuring that the area’s longstanding tradition of local control over alcohol policy remains intact, even as the broader context evolves.
Looking Ahead
The growth of alcohol sales in and around Westerville continues to accelerate. With the opening of new Community Entertainment Districts, opportunities are emerging for more restaurants and bars. The city, once known as the “Dry Capital of the World,” is gradually rewriting its history of alcohol. Ohio law still gives voters in each precinct the final say — a reminder that even as Westerville expands its dining and entertainment scene, its alcohol policies will continue to be decided one ballot at a time. This November, the only alcohol-related decision is up to Genoa Township voters, as Westerville itself has no liquor issues on the ballot.
Quick Guide to Ohio Liquor Permits
C1 – Beer carryout sales (off-premise only).
C2 – Wine and mixed beverages carryout sales (off-premise only).
C2X – Spirituous liquor in sealed containers for carryout (off-premise only).
D5 – Restaurants and bars: spirituous liquor, beer, and wine for on-premise consumption.
What a C2 Permit Means
C2 – Wine and mixed beverages carryout sales (off-premise only).
C1 – Beer carryout sales. Can be paired with a C2 for broader offerings.
C2X – Spirituous liquor in sealed containers for carryout. Without this, a C2 cannot permit hard liquor sales.
Carryout only: None of the C-class permits allow alcohol to be consumed on site. D-class permits cover on-premise sales.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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