By Josh Bergeron
josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — A proposed change in local laws to allow limited alcohol consumption in public spaces poses the potential to split town council members.

During a town council meeting this week, Town Manager Ken Deal introduced a change in China Grove’s ordinances that would allow vendors to sell alcohol during events sponsored by the town. Between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 2 a.m., the new ordinance would also allow alcohol to be consumed and sold on public sidewalks. In both scenarios, a litany of conditions and restrictions apply.

Deal’s introduction was only that and no votes were taken on matter, which he said would be nearly identical to ones already in place in Salisbury and Kannapolis. Town council members, however, took turns describing bits of their opinion about the matter.

A discussion and vote is scheduled to be held on the ordinance during the town council’s meeting on Nov. 1. Deal and Town Attorney Tom Brooke said China Grove is not required to have a public hearing about the ordinance change.

Deal also said the town “wasn’t breaking any new ground” with the proposal.

A couple of town council members expressed opposition to the idea.

“I’ve seen what alcohol does,” said Mayor Pro Tem Steve Stroud. “I’m not going to put my name on it being OK to drink. I don’t have a problem with anybody having a drink. If that’s what you want to do, it’s fine in the privacy of your own home or a restaurant, but I don’t want to see it on the street. I’m old fashioned, I reckon.”

Councilman Brandon Linn was short in his comments during this week’s meeting. Linn said he didn’t want the sale of alcohol being tied to the Town of China Grove.

Outdoor beer gardens on public property was listed during this week’s meeting as allowable with the new ordinance.  Mayor Lee Withers specifically listed Farmers’ Day, the town’s regularly scheduled cruise-in events and its Christmas in the Grove event.

“It’s not that we’re sponsoring alcohol,” Withers said. “It’s just that it’s an event that the town endorses. We’re not endorsing alcohol being served. We’re just endorsing the event.”

In the case of a town-sponsored event, China Grove’s proposed ordinance requires a special event alcohol permit, approval of the permit 20 days in advance, a fee for each permit, colored wrist bands for those who purchase alcohol and that beverages only be served and consumed in a specifically marked area.

For beer gardens or alcohol served in front of a business, the proposed ordinance requires that the server meet all requirements of the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Commission, that the server pay a $50 fee, that alcohol sales aren’t occurring in a way that’s considered an obstruction.

During this week’s meeting, the ordinance was described as a way to allow alcohol sales during special events. However, Brooke said businesses could sell alcohol daily on public streets under the ordinances.

Withers was among the town council members who said he supported the proposed ordinance and compared it to junk food.

“It doesn’t bother me to any extent,” he said. “Like anything, excess fast food probably leads to as much abuse as anything else in this country, much less drinking or smoking.”

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.