Social Districts
Summary: Lets the city consider designating “social districts.” A social district is an outdoor area in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages in a public, outdoor area that is sold by a licensed business located within the district. Individuals would not be permitted to bring outside alcohol into these districts and may not carry alcohol outside of the district.
This ballot question will not immediately create any social districts, but merely provides the City Council with the authority to create social districts, if one is identified.
Vote for social districts if: you want more spaces for community members to socialize and hang out, and to encourage community-building. Social districts are intended to reduce barriers for young adults especially to congregate and connect, and expand pedestrian-first spaces.
Vote against social districts if: you’re concerned about additional risk for property damage or drunkenness, or that additional law enforcement may be needed.
Do you want to submit a public argument for or against this measure? Contact us with your argument; no more than 1000 characters.
Shall we allow the operation of social districts within the City of Lebanon?
The State of New Hampshire recently passed legislation, NH RSA 178:33-38, legalizing social districts within the State subject to local voter approval. A social district is a defined outdoor area in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by a liquor licensee located within or contiguous to the district. This would be a public outdoor area beyond the premises of the bar, restaurant, or property of the liquor licensee where people could consume alcoholic beverages purchased at a licensee’s establishment in clearly labeled containers that are specific to the licensee and the district. Individuals would not be permitted to bring outside alcohol into these districts and may not carry alcohol outside of the district.
This question asks whether voters would like to authorize the Lebanon City Council to establish “social districts” within the City. The ballot question would not have the effect of immediately establishing any such district.
A ’yes’ vote to this question signifies that the voter wishes to authorize the City Council to establish one or more social districts within the City.
A ‘no’ vote to this question signifies that the voter wishes to prohibit the City Council from establishing any social districts within the City.
Regardless of the outcome, the City may reconsider this issue at any future municipal election.
If a majority of voters vote ‘yes’ to this question, then the City Council will have the authority, but not a requirement, to establish one or more social districts by creating the boundaries of the district(s), identifying the days and hours of operation for the district(s), and adopting and publishing a plan to manage and maintain the district(s). The operation of any social district must conform to all legal requirements under NH RSA 178:33-38, and any administrative rules adopted by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission.