By Doug Marrin
Chelsea is moving towards creating a downtown social district where to-go alcoholic beverages can be consumed outdoors.
The move is intended to attract people to downtown and drive business for merchants.
“Last summer, Whitmer signed new legislation establishing these social districts in which common areas for open alcohol consumption can be provided,” said Community Development Director Julia Upfal in her presentation to the City Council.
Ms. Upfal presented a social district plan for the City Council’s consideration. Should the Council approve the plan, the City would submit it to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) for approval.
In her written proposal to the Council, Ms. Upfal defined a social district as “an area designated by the municipal government where consumers are able to drink beer, wine, or spirits in a designated commons area outside the walls of a licensed establishment.”
Differentiating between “social district” and “commons area,” Ms. Upfal explained that “A Social District is the entire area designated by the Local Government, which includes the commons areas within the Social District.” She explained that carryout alcoholic beverages may be purchased from licensed establishments in the social districts but only consumed in the commons area.
The social district map Chelsea will be submitting to MLCC for approval.The proposed hours for the social district are Sun-Thu 12 noon to 8 pm, Fri-Sat 12 noon to 10 pm. The social district will be closed on the 4th of July and Labor Day. The social district expires on September 20, 2021.
Businesses who wish to participate in the social district will have to be adjacent to its boundaries and apply for a social district permit from the MLCC. Participating businesses can then sell alcoholic beverages in 16-ounce plastic cups that are specially marked as containing alcohol. Patrons are required to keep the container in the social district only, consuming their beverage in the designated common areas. Patrons are not allowed to bring their drinks into any other businesses or take them out of the social district. Signs will be posted marking the boundaries of the district.
“We will have the Chelsea police officers doing walk-throughs or driving by the area to make sure that it's monitored,” said Upfal. “I have talked in-depth with all of the businesses, who are participating, about managing the waste associated with the plastic cups, making sure that they are not littering throughout the community.”
The plan Upfal submitted to the Council is conditional upon permission by McKinley Properties, who own the Clocktower Plaza. McKinley is in the process of conducting its risk management assessment.
Mayor Johnson directed the Council’s attention to the expiration date of September 20, stating that the social district “is a limited term, a pilot for this year.”
Mayor Johnson also noted, “I like the utilization of Palmer Commons as a designated area, and it's a great opportunity to utilize that area in another way that can be really fun. So I'm excited to see that included as part of that area.”
Councilmember Albertson, however, strongly disagreed with the proposed social district.
“I have to say that I absolutely do not agree with this in any way,” said Albertson. “My sense of what this does to our community is it makes our Main Street a walking bar. When we approve something like this, and then we use the words, ‘Oh, this will be fun,’ that is saying drinking itself is what creates fun. I'm always concerned about the message that that sends to our youth.”
The City of Dexter established a social district over the winter. Councilmember Kwas asked Ms. Upfal if she had spoken with Dexter officials about their experience with a social district.
“I did have the opportunity to chat with their Community Development Director,” replied Upfal. “She shared that it really helped bring people downtown. Their main consumption area was the Dairy Queen parking lot, so they ended their social district when it got warm out because of Dairy Queen opening.”
Mayor Johnson responded to Councilmember Albertson’s concerns, stating, “I think your concerns are legitimate. I think there is certainly a balancing of interest in this, also recognizing the businesses really were supportive and successful by having some of the outdoor dining that was extended at that time.”
The Mayor also reiterated that the social district was a pilot program with an end date. And if problems should arise along the way, the Council has the authority to revoke the district.
“Noting some of those built-in tools that we have, I'm certainly prepared to go forward at this time,” said Mayor Johnson.
The Council voted 5-2 in favor of the social district plan. The City’s next step is getting the plan approved by MLCC.
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