BY DEBBIE PAGE

During the their agenda briefing on Monday afternoon, Troutman Town Council members discussed the process of creating a social district.

Statesville and Mooresville, along with approximately 60 other municipalities across North Carolina, have established social districts since the N.C. General Assembly passed legislation authorizing the districts in September of 2021.

WHAT IS A SOCIAL DISTRICT?

A social district is a defined area in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by a business with a special social district permit. The district may include both indoor and outdoor areas of businesses within or contiguous to the defined area during the days and hours set by a local government ordinance.

A social district may include privately owned property, including permittees and non-permittee businesses, multi-tenant establishments, and public streets, crosswalks, or parking areas whether open or closed to vehicle traffic.

Counties or cities can adopt ordinances designating a part of the county or a city as a social district. State law says the social districts may operate within a 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. time frame Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays.

The N.C. statute states that “before allowing consumption of alcoholic beverages in a social district, the city or county shall submit to the [North Carolina Alcohol Beverage] Commission a detailed map of the social district with the boundaries of the social district clearly marked and the days and hours during which alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the social district.”

“The city or county shall establish management and maintenance plans for the social district and post these plans, along with a rendering of the boundaries of the social district and days and hours during which alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the social district, on the website for the city or county.”

The statute also requires the social district “shall be maintained in a manner that protects the health and safety of the general public.”

The district must be clearly posted with signage indicating the geographic area the district covers as well as the hours during which alcoholic beverages may be consumed within it.

The signs must also include the telephone number for the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement division and for the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the social district.

Alcoholic beverages must be purchased in the social district and disposed of before the person leaves the district.

The city or county must develop or approve uniform signs indicating that a non-permittee business is included in the social district and allows alcoholic beverages on its premises when the social district is active and distribute the signs to non-permittee businesses that are included in the social district.

The signs may be in the form of a sticker, placard, or other format as deemed appropriate by the city or county. A participating non-permittee business shall display the uniform sign at all times during the times when the social district is active.

A customer may not bring an alcoholic beverage into a non-permittee business that does not display the uniform sign.

No non-permittee business shall be required to participate in the social district, to be included in a social district, or to allow customers to bring alcohol onto its premises.

A permittee located in or contiguous to a social district may sell alcoholic beverages for consumption within the social district in which it is located. Participating businesses must have the required permits for on-site consumption to sell approved beverages within the social district.

The permittee shall only sell and serve alcoholic beverages on its licensed premises in the social district’s approved non-glass,16-ounce or less open container that clearly identifies the permittee from which the alcoholic beverage was purchased; displays a logo or some other mark that is unique to the social district; and displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement,”Drink Responsibly – Be 21.”

Convenience stores located within a social district cannot sell alcoholic beverages to go.

FIRST STEPS FOR TROUTMAN

Council member Nick Jaroszynski agreed to chair an advisory committee to look into establishing a social district in Troutman. He believes that the district can help build a sense of community, help add more community events, and encourage people to congregate and interact.

Town Manager Ron Wyatt said creating a social district will require a lot of time and effort since town ordinances will have to be added and/or amended. The town would also have to define the time period in which the district operates and the geographic area of the district, which can be expanded as more entertainment and restaurants appear in town.

Wyatt suggested that Police Chief Josh Watson, Town Planner Andrew Ventresca, and Parks and Recreation Director Emily Watson, whose departments will be affected by the possible social district change, to be on the committee to add their insights.

He also suggested adding elected officials and business owners to the committee, as well as having public meetings.

Exploring the experiences and knowledge of other municipalities similar to Troutman who have gone through this process could also be helpful. If done correctly, Wyatt said a downtown social district could be a beneficial economic and recreational tool.

Ventresca, who has been researching social districts, said that Mount Airy was one of the first N.C. municipalities to add a social district. The town started with a one block area, but that area has continually expanded as interest increased and more businesses were attracted to the town.

Norwood, a town of 2,400 residents, created a social district, which has increased interest in its downtown. Adding the district can be a real economic driver to consider, added Ventresca.

Ventresca said that those he contacted have all seen economic benefits and none regret adding the districts. The officials said they had seen nothing detrimental to their municipalities after implementation.

Council member Jerry Oxsher offered to join the committee as the second elected official member but noted that he owns a restaurant that could be affected by the change.

Mayor Teross Young said that being on the exploratory committee, which has no voting power, would not represent a conflict of interest.

Young also suggested consulting Andy Ellen, president and General Counsel at N.C. Retail Merchants Association, to assist the committee in its work because of his extensive experience with social district creation.

Council member Paul Henkel urged committee members to visit social districts in similar towns to learn from their successes and any missteps. “We don’t want to commit others’ faults but emulate their successes,” he said.

Henkel also said that the town must also listen to any townspeople who may object to this change.

THURSDAY NIGHT’S AGENDA

At its regular meeting on Thursday evening, the council is scheduled to recognize of Devin Bentley and Justin Dagenhart as Troutman Employees of the Month for November 2024.

The council will consider:

♦ Approval of the Town of Troutman 2025 Calendar of Events/Programs;
♦ Approval of amending Policy #25 Titled: “Town of Troutman Internet Administrative Policy” and Policy #54 Titled: “Town of Troutman Personnel Policy” to comply with state and federal regulations;
♦ Annexation and rezoning of nearly an acre at 203 Timber Lake Drive;
♦ Adoption of the Troutman Town Council 2025 Meeting Schedule;
♦ Appointment of delegate and alternate Delegate to Centralina Council of Governments;
♦ Appointment of alternate to Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO); and
♦ Appointment of delegate and alternate to Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission (LNRTC).