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CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE O-1617-16 UPON SECOND AND FINAL READING: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AMENDING SECTION 426.1, I-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT, OF CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF NORMAN SO AS TO ALLOW FOR THE SALE OF BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS AND ASSOCIATED RETAIL MERCHANDISE IN COMPLIANCE WITH OKLAHOMA ABLE COMMISSION; AND PROVIDING FOR THE SEVERABILITY THEREOF.
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BACKGROUND: The Zoning Ordinance does not allow the sale of "smaller" retail items small scale retail uses or a bar, lounge or tavern in the I-1, Light Industrial District. The I-1 zoning district does allow the sale of "large ticket" items such as automobiles, boats and building materials sales.
DISCUSSION: In recent years, craft breweries have become popular small businesses; there has been a rise in the number of craft breweries seen on the market and yet they struggle to find appropriate zoning locations for their businesses. These businesses have large tanks or barrels and equipment for processing the product and a decent amount of storage for stock, bottling and packaging for distribution. These craft breweries are locating in areas similar in use to areas designated for manufacturing, i.e., industrial zoned districts; as well as those commercially zoned areas allowing such uses.
With the recent adoption by the State of Oklahoma, Senate Bill No. 424 (SB 424) now allows breweries to serve and sell craft beers at their business site; this new law became effective August 25, 2016. A copy of SB 424 is attached for your review. Up until the recent adoption of SB 424 local breweries were not permitted to sell their craft beers to customers for on-site consumption or as package items to consume off-site. Wholesaling was the only means of distribution permitted. As of September 2016 the State of Oklahoma had 13 breweries registered with the Oklahoma ABLE Commission which are provided on the attached list.
A brewery is a manufacturi...
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