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Council creates social district in downtown, opts for smaller park footprint amid police concerns
Summary
Council adopted a social district resolution (option 2) that allows open-container consumption within a limited area but excludes the amphitheater and playscape; the Downtown Development Authority will administer signage and artwork, while the police chief raised enforcement and public-safety concerns.
Milford City Council approved a resolution to establish a social district in the downtown area, adopting Attachment B ("option 2") as the district boundary. The adopted map includes portions of the green space along the river and the pavilion but excludes the amphitheater and the playscape; the council emphasized it can suspend or revoke the district in the future.
Staff said the social district concept traces to state law passed in 2020 and that the council's resolution follows guidance from the Liquor Control Commission (LCC). Planner/manager-level staff told the council the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) would administer promotional artwork and signage and would absorb associated costs. Staff also provided a list of 11 downtown liquor license holders and said all but one (Jimmy's) had signaled support.
Police Chief raised concerns around enforcement and expectations, saying his department had "not heard anything negative" anecdotally from other communities but warned about people bringing outside alcohol into the district and the added enforcement burden. The chief said social districts do not eliminate existing problems such as over-service at businesses and that the department would address complaints but could not guarantee continuous monitoring of everyone on Main Street.
Council members debated sign quantity, placement and how the district would interact with Central Park events (for example, summer concerts that currently are regulated by separate resolution). Several council members expressed a preference for option 2 because it removes the amphitheater from the automatic district footprint and requires a separate council approval for alcohol-related events at the amphitheater.
A council member moved to adopt the resolution with Attachment B (option 2). A roll call recorded the votes as follows during the meeting: Member Allen voted yes; Member Maxwell voted yes; Member Ziegler voted yes; Member Frankfort voted yes; Member Aubrey voted no; Member Kovac's vote was not recorded in the roll call at the time the clerk read votes. The meeting record noted the motion passed 4-1. The resolution includes language that the governing body may later revoke the designation and referred to LCC procedures in the packet.
