I happened to be watching the Town of Wendell board meeting on Monday August 8, 2022. They are proposing a Wendell Social District. I made contact with the town officials and have asked to be included in any future public activities for this proposal. I appreciate the town responding to my request favorably so quickly. Please plan to attend Downtown Development Committee meeting on August 24th, 2022 at 5:30PM in Wendell, NC.
What is a Social District?
This information is from a publication from North Carolina League of Municipalities 2022 NC Updated Law on Social Districts
In September 2021, Governor Roy Cooper signed into law House Bill 890 (HB 890) – ABC Omnibus Legislation ABC Omnibus Legislation
A social district is a defined area in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by an ABC permittee located within the social district. A social district may include both indoor and outdoor areas of businesses within or contiguous to the defined area during the days and hours set by the local government in creating the social district. A social district may include privately owned property, including permittees and non-permittee businesses, and multi-tenant establishments, as well as public streets, crosswalks, or parking areas whether the streets or parking areas are closed to vehicle traffic.
This revised definition clears up any confusion as to whether a social district can cross a public street or road and whether a social district may be created in a privately owned area of a local government jurisdiction, such as a shopping center. It also clarifies that a social district may may include both indoor and outdoor areas of businesses within, or contiguous to, the defined area during the days and hours set by the local government. It should be noted that it is the sole decision of a business located within the geographic area of a social district whether to participate in the activities of the social district.
Links to resources on the web concerning allowing alcohol
Questions to Ask
- For the cities in North Carolina that have implemented the social district program what are the DUI incidents for those cities?
- How many alcohol counselors are in Wendell?
- What businesses have opted in or out of the Wendell Social District?
My Background
My family has been affected by people that abuse alcohol. I am also concerned about potential increased DUI activities in the area. I don’t appreciate the state having the opinion in order to be social you have to include alcohol.
From a retired law enforcement officer
The town will need to hire two additional police officers to work the social district between the hours of 6:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. in case there are any reports of fights or drunken disorderly conduct. In addition they will need to hire an additional two police officers with cars to work the outside perimeter to catch drunk drivers leaving the area.