NCCo rule change would allow brewpubs in shopping centers

New Castle County will consider loosening its development rules to allow craft breweries, wineries and distilleries in shopping centers and other commercial property.

Currently, businesses looking to brew beer or distill alcohol within the unincorporated area of New Castle County must set up on property zoned for industry. A rule change introduced at County Council's Tuesday meeting is meant to allow breweries to set up shop where they can better reach customers.

"The business has evolved and we have very small craft operations that are trying to get established," said Councilman John Cartier, who is sponsoring the legislation. "The industrial zones do not meet the needs of this emerging business concept."

Land zoned for industry is rare compared to commercially zoned land. Such property is also typically surrounded by other industrial uses.

The new rules require brewing and distilling businesses in commercial areas to include a tasting room to sell their product.

It also updates the county's definition of a brewpub to regulate such businesses as normal restaurants.

As alcohol brewing and distilling has become a more customer-friendly, destination-oriented industry, Cartier said they should be able to open in strip malls and other commercial centers.

"We want to allow our craft entrepreneurs an opportunity to present to the market and interact with the customer base," Cartier said.

The zoning regulations challenged the entrepreneurs behind Yorklyn's Dew Point Brewing Co. when they scouted a location for the business that opened last year.

Restricted to industrial property, they set up shop in the mechanics quarters of the former Garrett's Snuff Mill complex, which manufactured tobacco products from the late 1800s to 1954. The brewery sits beside a larger development of old, dead industrial buildings tucked into the hillside.

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The rule change also opens the door for allowing Dew Point and other breweries on industrial land to host food trucks on the property. And while the history of the snuff mill adds intrigue to that brewery, Cartier said it is important not to have barriers to such businesses while cities like Newark have fewer restrictions.

Earlier this year, Newark City Council approved new regulations that would allow beer brewing or alcohol distilling businesses to locate in the city.

State government is also seeking to direct residents and tourists to Delaware's brew businesses. The Delaware Tourism Office released its new Delaware on Tap app in October, giving users a handheld guide to the state's burgeoning craft booze scene.

The app tracks the state's breweries with updated events listings, deals, maps, tours and more. Its geolocation software maps the closest breweries, distilleries, and others in your vicinity.

Cartier said he'd like County Council to vote on the rule change before the end of the year. The legislation must have hearings with the county's Planning Board as well as the state's land planning committee. It may have to wait until early next year, he said.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter.