FRISCO — The signs are posted along busy streets in Frisco. Some are in favor of Referendum No. 1; others oppose it.

It's a battle that has been brewing since last year, and it revolves around late night alcohol sales. Should the city let restaurants and bars serve alcohol after midnight?

Over at Coach Joe's Sports Grille, owner Joe Avezzano kicked off the weekend with a voting party to reel in support for the measure. “It allows us to be more competitive with other cities that have late nights,” Avezzano said.

Currently, alcoholic beverage sales must end at midnight, Sunday through Friday and 1 a.m. on Saturday nights. Voters will decide whether to extend those hours to 2 a.m., 7 nights a week.

Some restaurants, hotels, and business owners say the extension will lead to more city tax revenue and a safer community.

“At 11:30, people are signing out, and it's like a race track and then they are heading from Frisco to Plano or Addisson. That's where places stay open later,” said Avezzano. “That's where the driving back and forth becomes a safety issue. I'd rather they stay here, and then go home.”

But the other side is also putting up a fight. They believe the measure, if approved, will lead to more drinking and driving and drive Frisco into a downward spiral. Several families agree.

“I don't think anything good happens after midnight,” said Tom Pritzkau, who is against the proposal. “It's more of a family-related community, I really don't see a whole lot of families partying 'til two o'clock in the morning and then coming home to their three-year-olds.”

Voters will settle the issue next Saturday, on election day.

E-mail mdiaz@wfaa.com