The Town of Franklin opened its Dec. 4 meeting with the swearing in of the mayor and three council members elected in the November town election. All candidates ran unopposed. Mayor Jack Horton and council members Joe Collins and Mike Lewis were re-elected, and the board welcomed new council member Robbie Tompa. Macon County Clerk of Court Shawna Thun Lamb administered the oaths of office.
After the swearing-in ceremony the mayor thanked outgoing council member Adam Kimsey for his service on the board. Kimsey was appointed in 2021 to fill the remaining two years in Horton’s term on the council after Horton was elected mayor. Kimsey did not run for re-election.
In the next order of business, Joe Collins, who served the last two years as vice mayor nominated Stacy Guffey as vice mayor. The nomination was unanimously approved.
“It is my honor and privilege to serve,” said Guffey in thanking the board for their support.
Social District
The public comment portion of Monday’s meeting focused primarily on the proposal for a social district along Main Street. The council has discussed the idea at several meetings and has heard from downtown businesses in support of the district.
Those businesses were back again Monday night to move the topic forward.
Joe Griffith spoke on behalf of the 80s Flashback Weekend committee. Next year is the 10th anniversary of the weekend, which is a fundraiser to benefit Shriner Children’s Hospital. At a previous meeting, event founder Dave Linn said the event has outgrown the original venues of the two breweries and he would like to bring the event to Main Street. Griffith said the committee does not think a social district will turn Main Street into some undesirable location as some fear.
“It will benefit most of the businesses on Main Street,” Griffith said, adding that the creation of a social district will bring in additional revenue, draw people from other areas and create business opportunities.
He pointed out the town or an event organizer has the option of not allowing alcohol during certain events such as PumpkinFest or Winter Wonderland.
Griffith said the committee is offering to talk to the downtown business owners to gather input on the proposed social district and what concerns people might have.
Later in the meeting, the council noted they appreciated the committee’s offer, but the mayor said he thought that effort needed to originate from the town.
Cory McCall, owner of Outdoor 76, spoke in favor of the social district as he has at past meetings. He said Clayton had an event with a temporary social district on Friday of Thanksgiving weekend and it gave them a chance to see first-hand how it works. (Outdoor 76 also operates a location in downtown Clayton.) “We had nothing but a great experience, and I would expect the same here in Franklin as well,” he said.
Graham Norris, head brewer for Lazy Hiker, said he is seeing a lot of discussion about the social district and frustration from people worried about what a social district may be. “It’s a healthy discussion to have,” he said and suggested the town get data from Sylva or other towns to share with people. “I would encourage you as much as possible to start to share that data and try to encourage that dialogue and discussion,” he said and offered to have Lazy Hiker help with that.
Lazy Hiker has experience with a social district at its Sylva location. Norris said they see a lot of people going up and down the streets, going into businesses that stay open after 5 p.m. and that festivals only get enhanced by having the social district.
Norris said for people who have concerns about events still being family friendly if alcohol is allowed, he noted that the “Concerts on the Creek” in Sylva are well attended and there are kids running around all over the place.
Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, Town Manager Amie Owens gave a recap of the social district requirements as defined by the state. Since the state began allowing social districts in 2021, 38 municipalities have adopted one. The district must be approved by the state.
The district must have clearly defined boundaries with signage in place. Beer and wine can only be sold by licensed vendors (such as the restaurants on Main Street that have a license to sell). The drinks are to be sold in approved social district cups and cannot be taken outside the district. Alcoholic drinks cannot be brought in from outside the district. The proposed hours are noon to 9 p.m., but Owens noted there is the option to restrict alcohol during certain events if the town or an event organizer desires.
In November, Owens and council member David Culpepper spoke to the Macon County Board of Commissioners about the possibility of allowing alcohol at the gazebo and clock tower properties on Town Square. Those properties are owned by the county, and the town leases the gazebo property from the county. Alcohol is not allowed on county-owned property. The commissioners did not take any action on the request.
Following that meeting, Owens reworked the proposed district map so that it does not include the gazebo, clock tower or Rankin Square properties.
“You guys have been talking about this since February at the retreat,” Owens said before asking for direction from the council on what is the next step.
Guffey said he felt like they had enough information to move forward and that the next step should be a public hearing.
“I have a dream of one day downtown Main Street being open after dark and lights being on,” said Culpepper.
Owens said they had received five responses opposed to the social district.
The public hearing will be held at the Jan. 2 Town Council meeting. The January meeting will be held on Tuesday rather than Monday due to the New Year’s Day holiday. The council meets at 6 p.m. in the board room on the lower level of Town Hall.