Uptown Shelby to welcome new social district
Shelby has joined other local communities around the state in creating a social district.
City Council approved an amended ordinance last week which will allow people to carry special cups of alcohol in designated areas in uptown Shelby and to walk from one store front to another.
Jason Lunsford, city attorney, said the addition of uptown social districts was granted by state law in 2021 authorizing municipalities to create areas in city limits that allow open containers of alcohol.
In a memo to the city manager, Lunsford wrote that over 40 cities in the state currently have adopted the initiative as a way to encourage people to explore and enjoy uptown areas.
He said Gastonia, Hickory and Brevard have all adopted similar ordinances.
The boundaries of Shelby's social district would mimic the uptown Shelby municipal service district, but will exclude the Carolina Harmony Trail.
Lunsford said the ABC Commission will have to approve the amended ordinance before it goes into affect.
Local businesses can choose to participate or not, and window clings will be displayed in their windows identifying their level of participation. Some businesses may sell, allow or not permit people to carry in drinks. The social district would be restricted to the hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
A map of the social district and details on the implementation, rules and regulations, updates, and other information can be found online on the city’s website or in person at the clerk’s office.
Lunsford said there will also be a page for frequently asked questions that will be updated as issues come up.
There will be specific requirements that will have to be followed, including using a special date stamped cup which identifies the social district and the seller. All of the Solo style cups will have to be disposed of once leaving the social district, and people can't bring in their own alcohol.
Mayor Stan Anthony asked if other communities had a problem with monitoring or enforcing social districts and if it's created an extra burden on law enforcement.
Carly Bostic, executive director of the Uptown Shelby Association, said having dated and time stamped cups helps regulate the social district, and she said the same ABC regulations apply as they do elsewhere.
Howell said other communities haven't experienced issue.
Howell said the ordinance is a living document, and if six months or a year down the road they decide to make changes, council can revisit it.
"Generally feedback has been it hasn't been an issue," he said.
Lunsford pointed out that Shelby already implemented sidewalk cafes which allow people to drink outside.
"The reality is you can already be outside with your alcohol, and I haven't noticed an issue in the months I've been here," he said.
The amended ordinance was adopted unanimously.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Uptown Shelby to welcome new social district
