Expressing concern about the reach of a proposed ordinance banning open alcohol containers, the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to table the ban.

The board voted to approve the ordinance at its Feb. 10 meeting. Typically, new ordinances are presented to the board of supervisors twice before they become law; today’s meeting was the second reading of the ordinance.

“My fear is that we’re punishing our law-abiding residents when we could use our existing public intoxication ordinances to go after the ones who are actually causing trouble,” said District 4 Supervisor Kirk Uhler.

The ban was presented as one of a bundle of quality of life ordinances aimed at giving law enforcement more tools to address crime in the county’s unincorporated areas. Related ordinances prohibiting graffiti and public urination and defecation were approved and go into effect in March.

Today’s vote means the open container ban will not go into effect, unless the board reconsiders the item or takes up a revised version of it.