Title
Ordinance Amended Section 30 of the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) with Respect to Craft Distilleries
Body
Department: Planning
Council District: All
Public Hearing: December 15, 2015
Advertising Date/By: December 3 & 10, 2015/City Clerk
Contact 1 and Phone: Mike Kirkman 373-4649
Contact 2 and Phone: Sue Schwartz 373-2149
PURPOSE:
Shelley Johnson and Bill Norman request an amendment to the LDO to add the use of Craft Distillery. City Council is asked to hold a public hearing on this item at their December 15, 2015 meeting.
BACKGROUND:
As a result of changes in North Carolina Statutes, effective October 1, 2015 limited sales of spirits are now allowed separate from the State operated ABC system. This change in State law has opened the opportunity for small scale distilleries with limited retail components and this proposed amendment is the result of conversations with entrepreneurs interested in craft distilleries downtown and in other commercial districts.
The proposed amendment to the Land Development Ordinance will add “Craft Distillery” as a principal use on the Permitted Use Table and will:
• Cap the production of spirits to a maximum of 15,000 gallons per year.
• Amend the current definition of taproom/tasting room to accommodate a room ancillary to the production of sprits the craft distillery, similar to a microbrewery.
• Allow the use by right in mixed use and commercial districts (including the Central Business district), recognizing the potential for shared clientele among retail and service oriented entities.
It is important to note that in addition to the proposed LDO language, the craft distilling industry is subject to regulation through the North Carolina ABC Commission and the Federal Bureau for Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Staff presented the proposed text amendment language to both the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress and TREBIC and no objections were raised.
The Planning Board reviewed this proposed request at their November 16, 2015 meeting. One person spoke in favor of the request and none in opposition. Following the public hearing Planning Board recommended approval of the text amendment, as presented by staff, by a vote of 7-0.
BUDGET IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Planning Board recommended approval of this request.
Planning Department recommends approval of this request.
COMMITTEE ACTION: This item was referred to Council by the Infrastructure Committee.