Drinking in public? Here’s how Charlotte City Council could vote on social districts
The Charlotte City Council is expected to decide this month whether to implement social districts, which would allow people in certain areas to drink alcohol socially in outdoor spaces.
The city will hold a public forum during its council meeting Aug. 15 to hear from residents before voting on the districts the following week.
Social districts are possible due to House Bill 890, a measure allowing cities and counties to define outdoor spaces where people can legally drink alcoholic beverages bought from a state-permitted business. Social district supporters expect them to drive economic prosperity for the service, retail and tourism industries.
It’s unclear whether most council members support creating social districts, as some are waiting to hear from the public before taking a public stance. Some council members told The Charlotte Observer they want to add more rules for Charlotte’s social districts, including noise restrictions and proximity to residential areas.
If the council approves social districts later this month, it would not immediately create certain areas in the city where drinking outdoors is allowed. Local groups or business owners would have to come to council to request permission to create a social district.
Regulations for the districts at the state level include:
Social districts must be set up with clear signs along streets and parks in defined areas.
Bars and restaurants must provide social district-labeled cups.
Alcoholic drinks must be purchased from ABC-permitted businesses within the social district.
Drinks must be a maximum of 16 fluid ounces.
Other NC cities already have social districts
As of Aug. 1, seven municipalities registered social districts with the NC ABC Commission, spokesman Jeff Strickland said. That’s two more cities since May when the Observer delved into how the alcohol districts worked in North Carolina.
Municipalities with social districts, according to the state ABC commission, are: Kannapolis, Greensboro, Madison, Monroe, Newton, Norwood and Selma.
The City Council originally planned to vote on social districts in July, but the vote was pushed back a month. Council members told the Observer they wanted more information from city staff and the public before making a decision.
Another reason for a possible hold-up in Charlotte could be its size, said Mecklenburg County ABC Board CEO Keva Walton.
“Just look at the number of potential districts we have just within the city limits,” he said. “It’s not a simple proposition.”
Walton said tourism is a big part of the Charlotte economy, and adding social districts to the mix could grow that industry.
“We’re supportive of initiatives that can support our small business community,” he said. “And if in fact, social districts can do that in a safe and responsible way, then it’s a positive thing.”
County ABC board officials said safety is at the forefront of concerns they’ve heard.
“Any time there’s a new law or a new ordinance or anything that we have to enforce, it creates problems for us,” said Kevin Stone, Mecklenburg ABC Board law enforcement director.
Stone doesn’t expect social districts will create more positions or work for the department because there are already officers assigned to the areas.
In the year ending June 30, Stone said there have been about 500 charges for open containers, consumption by minors and similar violations in Mecklenburg County.
But Walton said it’s up to government officials to decide rules for social districts.
“Our responsibility is to provide product to our customers and to ensure the consumption of spirituous liquor is done in a safe and responsible way,” Walton said.
What do Charlotte leaders want?
The council has supporters of social districts and a few members with unanswered questions. The Observer polled council members about how they would vote.
Potential yes votes
▪ Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt said she supports the social districts, but wants to know who will enforce noise ordinances and boundaries. “We have to be cognizant of the neighborhoods that they will most impact,” Eiselt said.
▪ District 1 Councilman Larken Egleston has been a a vocal supporter behind the potential implementation of social districts. He said the vote in late August shouldn’t include specific rules for each district because they will be tailored to individual areas. “We are more or less green-lighting the idea then saying that Charlotte wants to move forward with social districts but the vote will not put one in place,” Egleston said.
▪ District 6 Councilman Tariq Bokhari is on the same page as Egleston. “I think it needs to be approved exactly as is and it’s one of the simplest decisions we’ll ever make,” he said.
▪ District 2 Councilman Malcolm Graham said he supports implementing social districts in Charlotte. “The devil’s in the details and I want to make sure I listen to the council members and the staff to make sure we dot I’s and cross T’s.”
Still unsure
▪ At-large Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera did not make her position clear in a statement provided to the Observer. Ajmera said community feedback will be critical. “Social districts can prove to be a catalyst for restaurants, bars and retail shops,” Ajmera wrote. “However, we need a solid plan to keep our nearby neighborhoods safe.”
▪ At-large representative Greg Phipps shares concerns about safety and noise as well as firearms in the districts. “I know right now, for concealed carry holders going into an establishment where alcohol is served in a bar and things like that, it’s prohibited,” Phipps said. “There are all kinds of variables that have to be considered. Does it cross the line of the Second Amendment?”
▪ District 5 representative Matt Newton said he was supportive of social districts when they were in committee, but still wants to learn more before making a final vote.
▪ District 7 Councilman Ed Driggs said he’s still educating himself and hasn’t yet made a decision. “What do the merchants and bar owners do to ensure that this thing functions as intended?” Driggs said.
Did not respond
Council members Renee Johnson, Braxton Winston and Victoria Watlington did not respond to requests for comment regarding the social districts.
At a July meeting, Watlington said she would like to see public safety risks addressed before voting.
Where could social districts be?
Council members have named Plaza Midwood, NoDa, South End and Ballantyne as areas that have shown interest in social districts.
“The types of neighborhoods that we’re in are kind of the perfect fit,” said business owner Jeff Tonidandel. “And with COVID still hanging around, (social districts) let people get outside and stay outside more.”
Tonidandel co-owns several restaurants with Jamie Brown in neighborhoods where people like to be outside and walk around. Supperland is in Plaza Midwood. Haberdish, Ever Andalo and Growlers Pourhouse are in NoDa.
Social districts, Tonidandel said, aren’t expected to increase alcohol sales but would allow people to check out other retail shops in the area.
“I don’t think we feel like it changes the drinking level, but it lets people be more free and experience the evening how they want to,” Tonidandel said. “That’s a big part of what we’d like to see, is the retail be super successful and people walk through shops while they’re waiting for tables.”
Tonidandel said there’s “a bit of a question mark” surrounding what will happen because social district-supporter Egleston is leaving the council.
“There’s been a lot of support behind it. It just seems like a pretty obvious next step forward into relaxing the alcohol laws a little bit,” Tonidandel said.
Brown said she expects the districts will boost tourism.
“It gives them a better taste of Charlotte by trying different places and checking out retail spots,” she said.
Those interested in speaking during next week’s public hearing can sign up at charlottenc.gov on the city clerk’s page.
This story was originally published August 8, 2022 at 6:35 AM.
