BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Two Buncombe County communities now are considering downtown social districts to allow regulated “to-go” beer sales within specific boundaries.

The Black Mountain Town Council advanced the idea on Monday night, voting as part of the consent agenda to schedule a public hearing on the matter for 6 p.m. on May 13.

Meanwhile, after first discussing the social district concept in the summer of 2023, the Weaverville Town Council is expected to discuss such a proposal on Monday, April 22, as the Weaverville Business Association is proposing a “social district” for a specific event, Music on Main in June.

Social districts have been growing in popularity across North Carolina. At least 60 communities across North Carolina have created them since House Bill 890, omnibus ABC legislation, became law in 2021.

The law allows communities to create limited boundaries where participating, licensed retailers can sell alcohol in specially-labeled “to go” cups, which must list such things as time, date and place of purchase. People are allowed to consume it publicly within the district boundaries as they stroll from one establishment to another.

Brevard’s social district took effect in February, with no serious enforcement issues so far, police reported. Brevard Police Chief Tom Jordan told 828newsNOW last week that he’s “reserving judgment until we see what the busier months are.”

In Weaverville, new Police Chief Somer Oberlin said it will be the Town Council’s decision on whether it wants to move forward, saying via email that “we’ll work through whatever decision they decide to take.”

“Ultimately, though, the police department is looking at it rather simply,” Oberlin said. “The only law that changes is an open container violation. All other violations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis at the officer’s discretion. We hope to achieve compliance through education, and we have been working with the Weaverville Business Association to ensure that if the social district is approved, they are prepared to enact it responsibly and law-abidingly.”

In Black Mountain, there was no public discussion before the Town Council voted to schedule the public hearing for May 13.
Police Chief Steve Parker said on Tuesday, “This will be a council decision and we will support and work through the impacts however they decide.”