Special-use permit nixed from agenda; auditorium proposal postponed

BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

EDENTON – Edenton Town Council held a special meeting Monday, Nov. 24, with two of the four agenda items removed from immediate consideration before the council tackled changes to the town’s social district ordinance through a series of split votes.

The 30-minute meeting was held at council chambers at 504 S. Broad St. Town Manager Corey Gooden was absent, with Assistant Town Manager DeWayne Whealton serving in his place.

The second item, a proposed letter signed by Town Manager Corey Gooden to Chowan County regarding the transfer of ownership of 200 East Church Street — the building that houses Swain Auditorium and the Chowan County Senior Center — was tabled until the council’s annual retreat in January. Mayor High indicated that council members had expressed concerns and questions requiring additional review before moving forward. The council unanimously voted to postpone the matter, with instructions to town officials to communicate to county commissioners that the delay reflected a need for thorough consideration of the proposal.

The most substantive business of the evening centered on proposed changes to Edenton’s social district ordinance. Mayor High divided the discussion into three distinct components: operating hours, geographic boundaries, and the types of alcoholic beverages permitted.

Hours Expansion Fails in Tie Vote

The first proposal sought to establish uniform operating hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Currently, the social district operates from 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Main Street Edenton Director Ches Chesson said the changed to provide uniformity, explaining that the varied schedule creates confusion for both businesses and visitors. He emphasized that consistent hours would support downtown’s “Sip ‘N Shop” concept, allowing patrons to enjoy beverages during lunch hours at establishments like The Herringbone, Edenton Bay Trading Company, Governor’s Pub and 309 Bistro and taking them to other businesses.

However, Councilmember Aaron Coston (3rd Ward) raised concerns about previous commitments made to downtown financial institutions and the Christian Bookstore regarding respect for their business hours.

The motion to expand hours resulted in a 3-3 tie, with High casting the deciding vote against the expansion. Coston, Sambo Dixon (2nd Ward) and Craig Miller (at-large) voted against the expansion, while Elton Bond Jr. (4th Ward), Bob Turner (1st Ward) and Patrick Sellers (at-large) voted for the expansion.

The existing varied schedule will remain in place.

Site Expansion Approved Despite Safety Concerns

The council approved expanding the social district to include Sunfish Park by a 4-2 vote, though not without significant debate about child safety and public perceptions.

Sellers and Turner voted against the change in the footprint, while Miller, Coston, Bond and Dixon voted for the change.

Town staff initially proposed expanding the district to encompass the entire park area except the playground and teh breakwater.

The geography was changed after listsening to council’s concerns. It did not include the breakwater, but did include a waterfront sidewalk connector that extended from Broad Street, along the sidewalk near the waterfront to the Lighthouse and encompass Sunfish Park, the grassy area near The Herringbone.

Dixon and other members of council noted that the district would be confusing, as it would just be on the sidewalk.

Bond noted that families in Edenton try to teach children not to drink in public, but the town would allow drinking near the playground at Waterfront Park.

“Call me old-fashioned, but you still got people drinking in front of the playground where the kids are playing at,” Bond said. Despite the modified boundaries creating additional buffer space, he questioned the message it sends to young people. “We preach to our kids about drinking in public, and we can drink in front of them?”

After hearing council concerns, Coston proposed a motion that would only add Sunfish Park and the sidewalk leading from the parking lot to the lighthouse, while while excluding the fenced playground area with zip lines and the waterfront walkway.

Chesson noted that Sunfish Park hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the popular Sounds of Summer concert series, fundraisers attracting 200-300 attendees, and weekend rentals. He indicated the park is reserved almost every other weekend during summer months.

Mixed Drinks Added After Spirited Debate

The council voted 4-2 to allow mixed drinks containing liquor within the social district, which previously permitted only beer and wine. Bond and Sellers voted against allowing mixed drinks. Turner, Miller, Coston and Dixon voted for allowing mixed drinks.

The proposal generated arguments on both sides. Proponents noted that several residents, business owners and visitors requested the option for mixed drinks, particularly mimosas (which are already allowed) and Bloody Marys during brunch hours. Council members suggested that patrons might consume mixed drinks more slowly than beer, potentially reducing overall alcohol consumption.

Police Chief David LaFon said the department handles only five or six alcohol-related incidents annually downtown, most of which involve individuals who didn’t purchase from district establishments.

“Usually people we have trouble with didn’t buy their alcohol at one of these establishments,” he explained, referencing problems with individuals drinking from containers they brought in their vehicles or from home, rather than from downtown establishments.

However, opponents expressed concern about increased potential for abuse and community sentiment.

Sellers argued that the original social district likely wouldn’t have passed a local election if it included liquor from the start, and a referendum on adding liquor now would probably fail.

“I don’t see where this benefits the businesses enough to go against what a majority of our town thinks,” he stated.

Coston countered with feedback from a business owner who supported the change, especially given the expansion to Sunfish Park and the events hosted there.

Police Department Restructuring Tabled

The final agenda item concerned a proposal to create two lieutenant positions within the Edenton Police Department. LaFon had initially recommended the restructuring to distribute job responsibilities more evenly across the department.

However, after multiple consultations between town staff and the MAPS Group, the proposal was deemed not feasible due to inability to balance staffing and job descriptions between the two positions. Whealton recommended no action be taken.

Council members pushed back on simply accepting the recommendation without further discussion.

“If it’s a recommendation from a department head, we’d generally like to support our department heads,” said Coston.

Sellers noted that what works for other town’s departments may not apply to Edenton’s specific situation.

The mayor asked LaFon directly whether he still believed the restructuring was beneficial. LaFon indicated he respected the professional opinion of the consultant but appeared open to further consideration.

The council unanimously voted to table the matter until the Dec. 8 regular meeting, directing LaFon to reconsider the proposal and return with a recommendation on whether he believes the restructuring should proceed despite the consultant’s assessment.

The Dec. 8 regular meeting, set for 6 p.m. in council chambers, will see the police department restructuring return for consideration. The Swain Auditorium transfer discussion is scheduled for the January planning retreat.