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Board asks staff to develop a pilot social-district plan for the alfresco zone
Summary
Trustees asked staff to proceed with planning a limited social-district pilot using the village's alfresco zone, exploring branded/ reusable cups or wristbands, monitored entrances and limited hours; trustees raised enforcement and sustainability concerns to be addressed in the draft plan.
Village staff presented research and several model approaches for a downtown social-district pilot that would allow alcohol purchased from participating licensees to be carried within a defined alfresco zone.
Deputy Manager Pekula said staff reviewed programs in Cary, Crystal Lake and Michigan towns such as St. Joseph and Saugatuck and proposed a pilot linked to the village's alfresco boundaries and Sounds of Summer events. Typical elements included non-glass containers, branded district cups or stickers, clear boundary signage and limited hours.
Trustees generally favored a pilot but pressed staff to address enforcement, startup costs and environmental effects associated with single-use cups. Trustee Manganaro urged no single-use plastic and asked staff to show revenue estimates that would cover program costs; Trustee Donington suggested volunteer or paid monitors at entry points to ease police burdens. Several trustees suggested a short, seasonal pilot tied to Thursday concerts and limited weekend hours.
Trustee Schwingbeck (who initiated the item) said she had seen the concept function in other towns and recommended a modest pilot this season to test operations. The board did not adopt an ordinance tonight but directed staff to develop cost estimates, operational structure, permit/process language and a pilot plan for 2026 al fresco season.
