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Council hears draft Social District ordinance; workshop set for Nov. 23 and public hearing Dec. 7
Summary
City Attorney and city staff introduced a draft ordinance to establish a Social District under Session Law 2021-150, explained the required Management Plan, and scheduled a workshop for Nov. 23 and a public hearing for Dec. 7; a local businessowner urged immediate action during public comment.
City Attorney John Cilley told Newton City Council on Nov. 9 that the State enacted Session Law 2021-150 on Sept. 8, 2021, authorizing local governments to establish ABC Social Districts where permittees may sell alcoholic beverages in designated cups for consumption in a defined common area.
City Manager Todd Clark said staff has drafted an ordinance and proposed boundaries after surveying businesses and residents between Oct. 12 and Nov. 1. Clark said the ordinance, if adopted, would establish the district and boundaries; state statute requires a city-developed Management Plan to set days and hours for on-site consumption, and the city manager would be responsible for developing that plan.
Clark requested, and council agreed to, a workshop on Nov. 23 before the regular meeting to review the ordinance and a public hearing be scheduled for Dec. 7. No ordinance vote was taken Nov. 9.
During the public-comment period, local businessowner Jeff Allen urged council to act on the Social District implementation, asserting the council had studied it for about two and a half years and that state legislation was not required for Newton to move forward.
Next steps: staff will hold the Nov. 23 workshop to review details, and the council will hear public comment during the Dec. 7 public hearing before any ordinance adoption vote.
