On Tuesday of last week, Siloam Springs' Board of Directors heard the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would change the city's code on breweries. This Tuesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear proposed changes to the city's zoning code that would affect the zones in which the breweries would be allowed.
The ordinance, as heard last week, would address two different kinds of breweries. The first, small breweries, would follow the state's limits, which allow the brewing of up to 45,000 barrels of beer per year. The second type of brewery would be the smaller "nano-brewery," a designation that limits small brewers to 5,000 barrels per year. More information about the ordinance can be found in the article on Tuesday's board meeting, also in this paper.
This Tuesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear a related revision to city zoning code designed to control where small breweries and nano-breweries can operate.
City staff is proposing small breweries be added to use unit 20, which would allow small breweries to operate in both light industrial and industrial zones. Small breweries could also obtain a special use permit for operation in the roadway commercial zone.
Nano-breweries would be allowed to operate in more compact areas because they impact their surroundings less, the city's staff report said. The smaller breweries would be allowed under use unit 15, permitting nano-breweries in both general commercial and roadway commercial zones. Nano-brewery owners could also apply for a special use permit for planned development zones.
According to the staff report, city staff believes nano-breweries will produce the same light and sound emissions as other buildings typical to commercial zones. The staff report compared nano-breweries to fueling stations, restaurants and retail stores with frequent deliveries.
Two other changes are proposed for city zoning code. First, it is proposed that use 22, which is primarily used to limit sexually-based adult businesses, be amended to not include alcohol or tobacco sales, in addition to some other clarifying language. Clarifying language will also be added to use 24, which governs retail controlled beverage sales.
Tuesday's meeting will be the first since the Planning and Zoning Commission changed its meeting time to 5:30, along with the Board of Adjustment. The new meeting time is effective for all future meetings, starting with Tuesday's meeting.
General News on 04/09/2017