The Franklin Town Council voted Monday night to give Town Manager Amie Owens the go-ahead to start the process for a proposed social district in downtown Franklin.
During the public comment portion of the meeting representatives from three town businesses – Lazy Hiker, Gracious Plates and Slanted Window – and local event organizer Dave Linn expressed their support for a social district.
“Please, tonight think about the social district and how it’s going to benefit everybody,” Linn said.
Colin McGinnis, co-owner of Gracious Plates, said the district would not be just for the businesses on Main Street but would benefit the entire community. “We think this is a tremendous opportunity to continue building on what we’ve got from a town’s perspective and what draws folks to the downtown area and if we could continue to focus on that and make that grow, and it is only beneficial to what we are trying to do as a community.”
Dion Sena, owner of Slanted Window, echoed sentiment saying that although his business is not on Main Street, and would not be in the social district, that it is “an opportunity to do what is good for all of us.”
Graham Norris, head brewer at Lazy Hiker, has previously spoken in support of the social district and said they have seen “nothing but positive” since the establishment of a social district in Sylva, where the brewery operates a second location. Norris said the social district would be a huge benefit for the town. “The opportunity to have a social district can bring in more dollars for tourism and help keep more of our local dollars here in town rather than going other places.”
The General Assembly passed legislation in 2021 that allows the establishment of social districts where people can consume alcohol off-premises but within a defined area. The state must approve any proposed social district. Establishment of the district requires set boundaries and signage. Alcohol can only be sold by those licensed to sell it, and it must be sold in a reusable cup labeled for consumption in the social district. Businesses can opt out of participating.
Owens also pointed out that the council has the option of restricting when the social district is in operation. For example, she said, if they do not want to allow alcohol during PumpkinFest, they could include that restriction in the social district guidelines. The proposed hours for the social district are noon to 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday.
Proposed district area
The proposed district would be from Town Hall (95 East Main St.) down Main Street (including both sides), to the intersection of Porter Street to include Lazy Hiker Brewing Company. Also included would be Stewart Street and the connecting alleyway; the portion of Phillips Street that connects Stewart to Main Street; Iotla Street to the alleyway at the Crabtree General Store, the bricked area immediately adjacent to the Macon County Courthouse, the Gazebo Square and Clock Tower square. Rankin Square was not included.
In her report to the council, Owens said they included the area adjacent to the courthouse because customers at Las Margaritas, the restaurant behind the courthouse, may want to take their drinks with them and would need to be adjacent to the social district.
Although Town Hall is included in the proposed district, the only portion of the property where alcohol would be allowed are the sidewalks leading to the front door from East Main Street. That is because the restrooms at the entrance to Town Hall are open to the public. Alcohol would not be allowed in any other area of Town Hall, the parking areas or the lawn.
County input
Owens said the first step in the process will be communicating with the Macon County Board of Commissioners about the gazebo and clock tower properties. The town leases the gazebo from the county and the lease agreement states alcohol consumption is not allowed on the property. The town would also have to request including the Clock Tower Square since it connects to Stewart Street and there are currently seating options on the square.
Council member Stacy Guffey pointed out the public sidewalks and streets would fall under state law and if the social district is approved then alcohol could be consumed in those areas. As an example, most people attending Pickin on the Square sit in chairs on Iotla Street and are not on the gazebo property.
If the county does not want to amend the lease, another option would be to see if the county would sell the property to the town. Or, the gazebo property could be marked off as part of the area where alcohol is not allowed. It would be the town’s responsibility to patrol the social district and to ensure that people with alcoholic drinks do not go outside the district.
The motion made by Rita Salain and seconded by Stacy Guffey passed with five members voting in favor. Council member David Culpepper was not present but participated in the meeting virtually. He could not vote but sent a text message that he was in support of the district.
A proposed social district must be approved at the state level and would require the town to change its ordinance regarding alcohol on public property within the social district. A public hearing would be required prior to the council voting on the ordinance.