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CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE O-2021-13 UPON SECOND AND FINAL READING: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AMENDING SECTION 460 OF CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF NORMAN SO AS TO GRANT SPECIAL USE FOR LIGHT MANUFACTURING AND SPECIAL USE FOR A BAR, LOUNGE OR TAVERN IN THE C-3, INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT FOR LOTS ONE (1), TWO (2), AND THREE (3), IN BLOCK THREE (3), OF ORIGINAL TOWN OF NORMAN, CLEVELAND COUNTY, OKLAHOMA; AND PROVIDING FOR THE SEVERABILITY THEREOF. (109 EAST TONHAWA, CURRENTLY IDENTIFIED AS SUITE 120 ONLY)
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SYNOPSIS: Equity Brewing Company, LLC, is requesting approval for a Special Use Permit to allow for Light Manufacturing or Assembly Operations, and Special Use for a Bar, Lounge or Tavern in the C-3, Intensive Commercial District. The operation will consist of a small "Nano-brewery" and tasting room/bar use with craft beer sales for on-site consumption, as well as the sale of retail items and their packaged craft brew products to individuals and wholesalers for off-site consumption. The business will be located just north of the Crucible Art Foundry and Gallery, at the northeast corner of N. Jones Avenue and E. Tonhawa Street intersection at 109 E. Tonhawa.
ANALYSIS: For some history of the development of breweries in the region: the State of Oklahoma adopted Senate Bill 424 (SB 424) which allows breweries to serve and sell craft beers at their business site; this new law became effective August 25, 2016. Until the 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 Oklahoma ABLE Commission; as of September 2020 records show there are now 71.
In the City of Norman Zoning Ordinance, a brewing business can be located by right in an industrially zoned district...
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