BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
The Black Mountain Town Council will consider letting festivals apply for a temporary easing of alcohol restrictions, but so far they’ve held off on a creating a permanent “social district” in the downtown area.
After months of deliberation, the Town Council on May 22 voted against a proposal that would have created a Downtown Black Mountain Social District, where people would be allowed walk around the city center publicly consuming alcoholic beverages sold by licensed local businesses.
According to Town Clerk Wesley Barker, the ordinance was rejected by a 3-2 vote over “concerns about the decision being rushed before all the research was done.” Barker said the proposal arose as part of the planning for the inaugural Black Mountain Blues Festival.
“On the flip side,” expressed Barker, the Town Council is “working on a special event permit” which would allow festivals to apply for exemptions to alcohol restrictions.
A public hearing has been scheduled for a Town Council meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 10, at Town Hall, 160 Midland Ave., Black Mountain, about whether to amend alcohol regulations for parades, festivals and special events.
EARLIER COVERAGE:
BEER TO GO? BLACK MOUNTAIN CONSIDERS A DOWNTOWN SOCIAL DISTRICT
BLACK MOUNTAIN, WEAVERVILLE SOON TO DECIDE ON ‘SOCIAL DISTRICTS’