Black Mountain to hold public hearing on proposed social district

Amendment would allow alcoholic beverages in designated downtown zones

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
April 9, 2024

A town council public hearing, May 13, will consider establishing social districts in downtown Black Mountain. Photo by Fred McCormick

A proposed amendment allowing alcohol consumption within designated social districts in downtown Black Mountain will be considered by the town council, at 6 p.m., Monday, May 13, following a public hearing. 

If approved, Article VI of Chapter 43 of the Town Code of Ordinances, would authorize businesses holding N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Commission permits to sell alcoholic beverages in approved to-go cups to be consumed in identified zones. 

Local officials called for the hearing, April 8, while unanimously approving the consent agenda during the regular monthly meeting of the town council. The proposal, according to Planning Director Jessica Trotman, was brought to the town by White Horse Black Mountain Director of Operations Zach Hinkle. 

Social districts, initially authorized by the state in 2021, are governed by N.C. General Statute 18B-300.1, which regulates open containers of alcoholic beverages taken from a permittee’s licensed premises to a designated area that allows consumption. At least 55 social districts, including Marion, Brevard, Sylva and Rutherfordton, have been created in the state in less than three years. 

The designated zones may include indoor and outdoor areas of businesses within a contiguous area identified by signage, while participating businesses are required to attach downloadable logos, provided by the town, to each serving. Businesses that wish to opt out of the social district would be given stickers indicating they do not allow beverages on premises. 

Municipalities are required to submit a detailed map of the proposed social district area, or areas, to the ABC Commission before allowing the consumption of alcohol outdoors. 

Hinkle brought the idea to town staff while planning the Black Mountain Blues Festival, which debuts in downtown, Friday, July 12. The weekend-long event, which will feature multiple stages and artists throughout the central business district, will be hosted through a partnership between White Horse and LEAF Global Arts.

“Our original idea was to create an incredibly successful music festival that will bring people to our wonderful town,” Hinkle said. “Black Mountain is a musical town and a blues festival feels like a wonderful way to give people an opportunity to enjoy great music and explore downtown.”

The typical age demographic of a blues festival, according to Hinkle, is typically between the ages of 35 to 65. 

“People who go to a blues festival aren’t coming to party their faces off,” he said. “They are there to enjoy music and spend time with friends.”

Allowing business to opt into a social district, Hinkle continued, would allow the festival “spread the love.” 

“If you encourage people to move around the town, people won’t feel confined to one spot,” he said. “Social districts throughout the state have proven to encourage people who are there for a specific reason to participate in other businesses in town, because they can freely go where they want to go.”

The concept might feel unique to Black Mountain, according to Hinkle, adding he looked into economic indicators and potential downsides before coming to the town. 

“This has been successful for businesses in the towns it has been implemented,” he said. “These districts have not led to any increase in rowdy behaviors, but there has been an increase in foot traffic and economic development.”

While he was initially drawn to the establishment of a social district for the blues festival, Hinkle believes creating has the potential to become an economic driver for downtown Black Mountain. 

“At the very least, this is something that deserves exploration via execution,” he said. “We could do this for six months and go through one full season, and if we see any downsides, we could end it, or even limit it to certain events. But, everything I’ve seen makes social districts seem like a win across the board.”