Lighter local alcohol laws cleared their first vote of the Gainesville City Council on Tuesday. Council members approved in first reading a package of reforms to the city’s alcohol regulations that include the creation of a downtown dining district, which allows customers to consume alcohol in public downtown. The district would allow pedestrians to drink any type of alcohol from clear, plastic cups no larger than 16 ounces in the downtown area. The precise boundaries of the district will be presented to the council at its next meeting. Private property owners would retain the right to block people from drinking alcohol on their property, according to the ordinance. City Manager Bryan Lackey said the policy change was based on public input and would make it easier for law enforcement to police the square during public events, when there has at times been confusion about who is allowed to drink in public.