Mount Clemens approves downtown social district, advances alcohol ordinance change

The Mount Clemens City Commission on April 5 approved a resolution creating an OASIS downtown social district and moved to amend the city’s alcoholic-beverage ordinance to permit outdoor consumption within that boundary.

City planner Kate Bell, who presented the plan for the DDA, said the Michigan Legislature authorized local social districts last year and that the program was initially designed as a COVID response. “The social districts is initially, and primarily, I think we would say, a measure for, the COVID response,” Bell said, adding that it also supports pedestrian-friendly downtown revitalization.

Bell described a map the DDA had reviewed and said staff tried to contain the district within the downtown core to limit crossings of busier roadways and to ease enforcement. Commissioners discussed whether to extend the northern boundary to include additional businesses. “The concerns primarily are public safety, pedestrian safety, as well as enforcement,” Bell said, and she told commissioners the map could be amended to expand or contract the district after initial implementation.

City Manager Johnson said the alcohol-ordinance amendment is intended to bring the municipal code into compliance with the social-district authorization and noted the draft ordinance contains a sunset clause mirroring the state law. The commission approved the resolution and introduced the ordinance amendment at first reading, setting April 19 as the date for the second reading and possible adoption.

The commission and staff said the city will require eligible businesses to apply for a permit and follow a management and maintenance plan. Bell also showed examples of the proposed cups and a draft logo for the district.

The resolution passed on a roll call vote; the ordinance amendment was introduced at first reading and scheduled for a second reading and adoption on April 19.