Another rural town in Western North Carolina is edging closer to creating a specified downtown zone permitting outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages. Following a deliberation that involved input from numerous residents expressing both support and opposition to establishing a social district in Franklin, town council members took a significant stride on Tuesday night by passing a resolution to advance the process of potentially establishing the designated area. A social district delineates specific streets where alcohol consumption is permissible.
Describing the proposed downtown district on Tuesday, Mayor Horton outlined its boundaries from Town Hall to the other end, extending towards Porter Street. He specified that this zone would encompass both ends of Main Street, enabling individuals to stroll around while enjoying purchased alcoholic beverages. However, the final decision regarding the establishment of this social district might undergo a prolonged evaluation process.