Title
Resolution to Revise and Amend List of Approved Participating Establishments in the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District
Memorandum
In 2020, the State Legislature amended section 551 of Public Act 58 of 1998 to create the Social District program. This program allows municipalities to designate a common area where license-holding establishments may share space to serve alcoholic beverages to patrons and the patrons may move freely within that space while consuming alcoholic beverages.
At the Ann Arbor City Council meeting of August 16, 2021, City Council adopted resolution R-21-321, which approved the creation of a Social District in the Main Street area. At the Ann Arbor City Council meeting of September 3, 2024, City Council adopted resolution R-24-366, which approved renaming the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District to the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District, expanded the commons area and district boundaries, and approved the list of eligible license holders for the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District. Pursuant to this resolution, the City sought approval of these changes to the existing social district from the State of Michigan. In addition, each license holder in the district who wants to participate must seek application from the State with a resolution affixed from Council that approves of their individual applications.
A new establishment is proposed to open at the site of the former Original Cottage Inn on William. This resolution revises and amends the current list to reflect the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District businesses eligible for Social District Permits and provides municipal approval to liquor license holders in the district to apply to the MLCC for a Social District Permit.
Staff
Prepared by: Rachel Rickinger, Administrative Assistant
Reviewed by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed by: John Reiser, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Council Liquor License Review Committee
Body
Whereas, Michigan Public Act 124 of 2020 (the Act) was signed into law on July 1, 2020 allowing municipalities to designate Social Districts, wherein license holding establishments could share outdoor dining space and patrons could move freely within the district while consuming an alcoholic beverage;
Whereas, On August 16, 2021, the Ann Arbor City Council approved the creation of the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District;
Whereas, On September 3, 2024, the Ann Arbor City Council approved renaming the Main Street Ann Arbor Social District to the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District, expanded the commons area and district boundaries, and approved the list of eligible license holders for the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District;
Whereas, Each license holder in the district must make application to the MLCC and affixed to that application must be a resolution from Council approving their application; and
Whereas, This resolution will provide approval for each license holder to participate in the program;
RESOLVED, That the license holders listed in the attachment to this resolution are hereby approved for participation in the Downtown Ann Arbor Social District, and the City of Ann Arbor recommends their application to the MLCC.
Sponsored by: Council Liquor License Review Committee