Adopt Ordinance #22-11 to Allow Taprooms, Breweries, Microbreweries, and Brewpubs

Drinking establishments such as breweries, brewpubs, microbreweries, and taprooms have been on the rise over the last few years in surrounding communities, and generate new visitors to cities while creating a fun environment. The attached Ordinance #22-11 proposes allowing these uses in various zoning districts in the City of Ramsey.

Research was conducted by City Staff to determine what districts in surrounding cities allow taprooms and breweries. A copy of the research conducted by our Planning Intern, Grady Timmerman, is attached to this case. The ordinance was reviewed by the City Council for introduction on February 8, 2022, where adjustments were recommended and acknowledged by City Staff.

Notification was provided in the City's Official Newspaper, the Anoka County UnionHerald. 

Planning Commission 1/27/22
The Planning Commission recommended introduction of Ordinance #22-11 at their regular meeting on January 27, 2022 with the incorporation of the mixed-use and commercial districts of the COR to allow brewpubs and taprooms as a conditional use. The changes have been made to the ordinance that is attached to this case.

City Council - 2/8/2022
Definitions and Examples
Definitions and examples of applicable breweries, brewpubs, microbreweries, and taprooms were requested by the City Council. An outline was created for the City Council to review, and is attached to this case.

COR Districts
The ordinance presented on February 8, 2022 included a few of the City's COR districts to allows these uses, but only allowed brewpubs and taprooms. The following districts have now included microbreweries in the revised ordinance:

• COR-1 Subdistrict - brewpubs, microbreweries, and taprooms proposed as a conditional use;
• COR-2 and 2b Subdistricts - brewpubs, microbreweries, and taprooms proposed as a conditional use;
• COR-3 Subdistrict - brewpubs, microbreweries, and taprooms proposed as a conditional use;

Industrial Districts
The ordinance presented on February 8, 2022 included the City's industrial districts to allows these uses. The following districts remain unchanged in the revised ordinance:

• E-1 Employment District - all uses proposed as a conditional use;
• E-2 Employment District - all uses proposed as a conditional use;
• E-3 Employment District - all uses proposed as a conditional use;

Other Districts
City Staff have also revised the attached ordinance to allow brewpubs, microbreweries, and taprooms in all zoning districts that allow restaurants in any capacity. Breweries will not be allowed in these districts. The following districts are included in the revised ordinance:

• B-1 General Business District - currently allows restaurants as a permitted use;
• B-2 Highway Business District - currently allows restaurants as a permitted use;
• H-1 Highway 10 Business District - currently allows restaurants as a permitted use in multitenant buildings;
• B-3 Business District - currently allows restaurants as a permitted use;
• Neighborhood Business District - currently allows restaurants as a permitted use;

The City Council introduced the ordinance at their regular meeting on February 8, 2022.

Alternatives
Alternative 1: Adopt Ordinance #22-11 as prepared. Staff and the Planning Commission recommend this alternative.
Alternative 2: Adopt Ordinance #22-11 with proposed feedback or revisions. Staff is open to this alternative.
Alternative 3: Deny Ordinance #22-11. Staff does not recommend this alternative.

Staff is handling this case as part of regular duties.

The Planning Commission recommends adoption of Ordinance #22-11 to Allow Breweries, Brewpubs, Microbreweries, and Taprooms

Motion to waive the Charter requirement to read the ordinance aloud and adopt Ordinance #22-11 to Allow Breweries, Brewpubs, Microbreweries, and Taprooms.