ThisWeek CW 07/16/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/07/13/council-oks-zoning-code-changes-to-prepare-for-brewdog.html
Even as Canal Winchester officials prepare for potential zoning issues related to construction of a proposed BrewDog facility, some residents have begun voicing concerns about traffic congestion and smells that could result once the brewery is operational.
Canal Winchester City Council members voted unanimously July 7 to approve language changes to the zoning text to specifically allow for artisan food and beverage production on site at commercial properties and to alter the setback and height restrictions related to storage silos.
“The proposed changes are driven by a number of downtown businesses that are more of an artist studio and that we do not have zoning code that specifically provides for producing items on site,” Development Director Lucas Haire said. “All of these handcrafted-type items are becoming more popular with people buying local — and the last item like that is local foods.”
Haire said the city wants to continue to promote that interest.
“What we’ve done is to include these changes in the historic district and limited manufacturing districts,” he said. “The last change is related to the silos such as we have at TS Trim, and now we need to change that in preparation for microbrewers.”
Previously, city code required that any silo had to be behind a building and 20 feet from the property line, according to Haire. He said the change wouldn’t stipulate the location of a silo in relation to a building, but instead would designate the setback be equivalent to the silo height.
“In the past, a grain silo would have had to be 20 feet or so from the property line, even if it was 60- to 70-feet tall, but now if it is 60- to 70-feet tall, it will have to be 60 to 70 feet back from property line,” he said.
A couple residents raised concerns over the potential for unpleasant smells coming from the brewery.
“I live in the Villages of Westchester and am very concerned about the smell related to BrewDog,” resident Steve Lukezich said. “How do you get someone to buy your house in a place that smells?”
Council President Rick Deeds said he hopes residents will bring their concerns to the Aug. 8 planning and zoning commission meeting when it is anticipated that BrewDog will begin the process of getting its plans approved.
Resident Andrew Beauseau, who lives near the proposed BrewDog site, said he’s concerned about truck traffic as well. He noted that changes to delivery schedules at TS Trim have caused him to awaken every day at 5 a.m. to the sounds of semi traffic.
Another resident, Susanne Rasoletti, said she appreciated the city’s efforts to bring more jobs and tourism to Canal Winchester, but besides being concerned about the smell, she also wondered about additional traffic congestion on Gender Road.
“My concern for you building this brewery was that first of all, we already have so much congestion on Gender Road. From Route 33 all the way to the Skyline Chili, you just brake and brake,” Rasoletti said.
Public Works Director Matt Peoples said the city will work with BrewDog on a closed system for its wastewater, but that until the company officially submits plans, he couldn’t comment on how it would be handled because he doesn’t have the details.
“The site details are expected to be presented at the Aug. 8 meeting,” Haire said. “Until then, we can’t comment because it will only be speculation.”
The Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will start at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at City Hall, 10 N. High St.