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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 3, 2012 3 <br /> <br />Municipal ordinances may be more restrictive than State law in terms of the sale of <br />alcohol. <br /> <br />City Planner Meagan Beekman reviewed the proposed land use definitions. <br /> <br />Staff was directed at the August 20, 2012 City Council work session, to research <br />amending the zoning code to allow microbreweries and micro distilleries as conditional <br />uses to the maximum extent allowable under state law. These recommendations were <br />brought to the September 5, 2012 planning commission work session where it was <br />recommended to staff that brewpubs also be included as a new, and separate, land use <br />from micro breweries and micro distilleries. Brewpubs are microbreweries that have a <br />restaurant component with on-sale sales of products brewed on site. Brewpubs also <br />provide food and can also serve alcoholic products other than those brewed on site. <br /> <br />City Planner Meagan Beekman continued the Planning Commission also discussed <br />allowed prepackaged food to be served on site within a taproom, as opposed to food that <br />is prepared on site. The distinction is important because establishments that have food <br />prepared on site would be considered brewpubs rather than taprooms and have different <br />legal requirements within State Statute. <br /> <br />Staff has prepared draft amendments to the zoning code that reflect these <br />recommendations. <br /> <br />City Planner Meagan Beekman reviewed currently Arden Hills Zoning Code allows <br />breweries and distilleries, as well as distributors of alcohol, in zoning districts that allow <br />manufacturing and processing. <br /> <br />The draft zoning code amendments create new land uses for microbreweries, micro <br />distilleries and brewpubs. Microbrewery and micro distillery land uses would allow the <br />manufacture and distribution of intoxicating alcohol, as currently allowed by State <br />Statute, in the assigned zoning districts. Microbreweries would also be permitted to have <br />a retail component. A land use for brewpubs would also be created to differentiate <br />microbreweries that do not have a food component and brewpubs that do have a food <br />service component. <br /> <br />Applications for micro breweries, micro distilleries and brewpubs would be approved <br />through the conditional use permit process. The application has submitted information <br />addressing their request for a Zoning Code Amendment and CUP. <br /> <br />Rather than make adjustments to the existing land uses within the Code, Staff is <br />recommending creating three new land uses that would then be added to appropriate <br />districts throughout the City. The new land uses would be micro-breweries, micro <br />distilleries, and brew pubs. Staff is recommending that micro breweries and micro <br />distilleries be allowed as Conditional Uses in the B-2, B-3, B-4, GB, I-FLEX and MB <br />zoning districts. Staff is also recommending that brewpubs be allowed as Conditional <br />Uses in the B-2, B-3, B-4 and MB zoning districts. <br /> <br />City Planner Meagan Beekman reviewed the following CUP criteria would apply to <br />micro breweries, micro distilleries in the B-4 District: <br />