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Hazel Park approves North Johner social district and advances social-district ordinance
Summary
The Hazel Park City Council approved Resolution No. 04-006-26 to establish the "North Johner" Social District and introduced a companion ordinance to add social districts to the municipal code; the council directed staff to monitor implementation and consider a second district later.
The Hazel Park City Council on April 14 approved Resolution No. 04-006-26 to establish a North Johner Social District in the city's commercial area and advanced a companion ordinance to add social districts to the municipal code.
Why it matters: Councilmembers and staff said the social district is intended to support downtown businesses by permitting regulated outdoor alcohol consumption in a delimited zone, to be governed by rules and insurance requirements. Planner James Finkley presented a color map and said alleys are included in the district boundary and that four qualifying businesses are in the North end.
Councilman Andy LeCureaux and planner James Finkley discussed the possibility of adding a second zone (a "South John R" district) after the first district is operational. Finkley recommended starting with a single zone to work through logistical challenges and then expanding later if the pilot goes well. Council members asked staff to revisit implementation after a monitoring period (roughly suggested at six months to late summer) and to coordinate outreach with the affected businesses.
What the council did: The council voted to adopt the resolution establishing the North Johner Social District (Resolution No. 04-006-26) and moved the companion ordinance (adding Chapter 5.85, Social Districts) on first reading. The motion passed on the record; the transcript does not include a numerical roll-call tally.
Background and next steps: Finkley said the ordinance mirrors models used by neighboring jurisdictions and that participation by businesses is voluntary. Councilmembers asked staff to produce color maps and clearer public-facing materials so residents can see the exact boundaries and to prepare an implementation timeline and any required insurance or operational guidance for participating businesses.
The resolution was approved at the April 14 meeting; the companion ordinance was advanced on first reading and will return for subsequent readings as required by the City Code.
