On September 25, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners voted for creating a social district which will allow alcohol to be carried from one business to another. The board listened to the proposal, asked questions, and discussed it before the majority voted in favor.
Commissioners Kyle Shipp, James Vose, and John Bonitz voted to approve the measure, while Commissioners J.A. Ferrell and Pamela Baldwin voted against it.
The Downtown Advisory Board made up of community members unanimously passed a proposal to the board in June for a social district to be considered. The social district will include downtown Pittsboro with an exception to the historic courthouse. Some requirements will be enforced for those businesses selling alcohol in the social district. The container cannot be glass, must be no bigger than 16 fluid ounces, and the container must include the establishment, the date, and town logo. Pittsboro police officers will enforce rules and regulate drinking in the social district.
Pittsboro’s Downtown Development Director, Teressa Thompson, presented the proposal to the board, answering questions, explaining logistics, and giving details. In the September 11 meeting, board members had concerns relating to the hours in which people would be allowed to take alcohol outside of the establishment. The original hours were 11:00 am-11:00 pm Monday through Friday and 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Sundays.
“We became aware of concerns from a local organization regarding how these hours could overlap times when students are walking through downtown or to extracurricular activities,” Thompson explained. “The amended recommendation is that the hours be from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday, 11:00 am-10:00 pm on Saturdays, and 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sundays.”
A map of downtown Pittsboro, with the red lines highlighting the social district approved by the Board of Commissioners. (Photo via the Town of Pittsboro.)
During the meeting Commissioner Baldwin voiced her opinion regarding the new hours, believing the social district should be available less hours of the day.
“I’m still not in favor of it but I will say that if I were in favor of it I would be in favor of later hours just as was indicated and it goes back again to the children-they’re still around at 4:00 pm, they’re still on the street,” Baldwin said.
Commissioner Shipp defended the revised hours, emphasizing that the reason behind the social district is to boost economic vitality in local shops and foot traffic around the area.
“We are not condoning excessive drinking or allowing excessive drinking, but [are] hoping to engage some of our outdoor spaces and bring more business to retail,” Shipp clarified in an interview with 97.9 The Hill, restating his comments from Monday night.
Mayor Cindy Perry voiced concerns raised by members of the community who are against the social district — saying she wanted to note this in the meeting, despite not being a voting member of the town board.
“I have received a number of phone calls, emails, and messages from members of the community opposed to this,” Perry said. “The constituents are very concerned about how this is going to work.”
Thompson informed the board that more than 30 communities in North Carolina have adopted Social Districts. None of the 30-plus communities have ended the program and have reported more people visiting downtown areas. There also are no reports of increased crime or public intoxication.
Thompson reassured the board, “The concerns that were addressed by the community and board members did not come to fruition. There have not been issues. It always can be undone in the future.”
Thompson said the next step will be meeting with the local business owners involved to discuss requirements and other details.
Featured photos via the Town of Pittsboro.
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