TITLE
Adopt resolution directing the Director of Development Services to submit the amendment to Title 21 (Zoning) of the Long Beach Municipal Code related to Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing and Accessory Tasting Rooms to the California Coastal Commission for their review and certification; and
Accept the Categorical Exemption CE-14-140. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On February 11, 2014, the City Council requested the City Manager to review current licensing and zoning policies related to micro/craft alcoholic beverage production; examine best practices in other localities; engage the local alcoholic beverage manufacturing community for ideas and input; and report back to the City Council.
The Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing (ABM) industry (including micro/craft breweries, distilleries and wineries) has experienced significant growth across the country in the past 30 years. California, already a national leader in wine production, has also emerged as a leader in the micro/craft brewery sector. Currently, California is the nation’s top producer of both wine and micro/craft beer and has more wineries and micro/craft breweries than any other state in the nation. The growth in the ABM industry, including production facilities and their accessory tasting rooms, has provided economic benefits in the form of investment, jobs, and tourism to many communities and local governments across the state.
The Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) does not include a specific definition for ABM or clear development standards regulating this use. The LBMC does permit similar uses in specific zoning districts, such as the manufacturing of beverages in certain industrial zones, and brewpubs or other similar uses in the Downtown Plan area. However, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) would be required to open a “tasting room” associated with the ABM use in an industrial zone, and a Zoning Administrator interpretation would be required to determine if a stand-alone ABM facility (unlike ...
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