Andrews – Town aldermen will hold a public hearing as early as April whether to establish a “social district” that will allow pedestrians to stroll around parts of downtown while sipping on alcoholic beverages.
The board passed a resolution Thursday endorsing the consideration and review of a social district plan for the town.
“The establishment of a social district has the potential to support economic development, enhance tourist and foster community engagement within the Town of Andrews,” according to the resolution, which passed unanimously although Alderman Steve Jordan was absent.
The resolution pledges that the town will develop a comprehensive social district plan that adheres to state law. The plan will include setting boundaries, operational guidelines and measures to ensure compliance with laws.
Once the plan is developed, the board will hold a public forum announced in advance before voting on the plan. The resolution says the public will be kept informed and engaged throughout the process.
Town attorney Holly Christy is drawing up the plans, which will be presented to the board of aldermen for a vote no earlier than February. Once approved, the plan will be advertised for 40 days before a public hearing can be held, town clerk Ethan McCubbin said.
That means the earliest the measure can come up for a vote by the board would be April. The effort coincides with a town effort to inaugurate an annual motorcycle event and rally in the fall, which in time could draw hundreds or even thousands of motorcyclists to the Andrews Valley.
Social districts
Social districts were made possible after a bill allowing cities and counties to implement social districts passed through the general assembly in September 2021.
The bill was first proposed in May 2021, sponsored by Rep. Timothy Moffat from District 117 in Hendersonville, and then later co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Tyson of District 3 in Craven.
The bill received bipartisan support as it moved through committee and was redrafted. The Senate passed House Bill 890 on a 35-7 vote, sending it back to the House for a final vote. There, House members had no debate at all before voting 95-8 in favor of the bill, sending it to then-Gov. Roy Cooper, who signed it into law.
The bill made a number of changes regarding alcohol in the state, but according to sponsors of the bill, the attractive feature of this bill is that it allows for the creation of social districts as an economic booster.
The City of New Bern, an eastern North Carolina town in Tyson’s district that relies heavily on tourism, has not adopted a social district so far, but does allow restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages on sidewalks and, during special occasions, on city streets. According to downtownnewbern.com, the bill was intended to “help ‘small businesses’ who suffered most from COVID-19, as well as help to re-invigorate downtowns with increased tourism.”
Murphy council said ‘no’
As of March 2024, 58 North Carolina municipalities had established social districts, while other towns have delayed adoption because of concerns. One town that rejected a social district was Murphy, whose town council voted down a social district proposal in December 2022.
Public pressure appeared to have made the difference in that effort. Three local residents spoke out against the social district during a public comment, appealing to conservative Christian beliefs about drinking alcohol and raising questions about liabilities associated with the district. Many more people packed the council’s meeting room to observe the vote.
Then-council member Keisha Dockery, who first brought up the idea of a social district in July 2022, was the lone vote in favor of it. Dockery’s proposal received initial interest and support from several council members when first proposed, including suggestions to do a trial run during the September Art Walk.
The Murphy Town Council wound up voting 5-1 against a social district.
Sylva got its social district off the ground in April 2022 as part of a six-month test program. They compared drinking-related incidents in 2022 to 2019 and found no increases whatsoever.
Franklin has also adopted a social district. Sylva’s rules, as posted on mainstreetsylva.org, are:
- Drinks must be consumed from the official Social District of Sylva cup received at purchase.
- Visitors may stroll with their beverages within the Social District of Sylva only Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Visitors must check to see if a retailer allows Social District of Sylva drinks before entering the establishment. Participating businesses display a Social District of Sylva sign at the door.
- Cups must be empty before entering another bar or restaurant that serves alcohol.
- No outside alcohol is permitted within the district. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased from establishments located within or contiguous to the district (in specially labeled cups) and must be consumed within the district.
- Upon leaving an establishment where an alcoholic beverage is purchased, the beverage must be consumed or discarded before entering a different business that serves alcohol.
- All alcohol in open containers must be disposed of before exiting the district or entering a vehicle.
Where would it be?
A map has not yet been presented that shows what Andrews’ social district would look like, but a likely scenario would be Chestnut Street to Cherry Street, and Main Street to First Street.
That would encompass Hoppy Trout brew pub and pizza, The Tattered Tartan Pub, Snowbird Mountains Brewery and FernCrest Winery tasting room.
Andrews Mayor James Reid said the social district would not include Harold H. Hall Memorial Park, which sits on railroad land. He added that he has heard broad support for the plan so far.
“Everybody wants it,” Reid said.