New zoning ordinance opens doors for farm breweries

In a recent government meeting, the board discussed a proposed zoning ordinance amendment aimed at allowing farm breweries in the Williamson Agricultural zoning district. The amendment, which follows previous changes made to winery ordinances, seeks to establish definitions and regulations for farm breweries, permitting those that produce fewer than 5,000 barrels of beer annually to operate tasting rooms and host events similar to wineries.

Chuck Beatty from the planning department explained that the amendment was crafted in response to recommendations from the Agricultural Advisory Committee and aims to support small-scale agricultural operations. The ordinance specifies that eligible breweries must cultivate at least three acres of hops or other agricultural products necessary for beer production.

Concerns were raised regarding potential impacts on rural areas, particularly about the possibility of event centers emerging from this ordinance. However, public comments indicated that the ordinance is narrowly tailored to ensure that tasting rooms and events are directly tied to agricultural production, thus addressing these concerns.

The board unanimously approved the ordinance amendment, reinforcing the county's commitment to supporting local agricultural businesses while maintaining the integrity of rural lifestyles.

Additionally, the meeting addressed significant rate increases proposed by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) for residents of the North Shore Comanche Mobile Home Park. Residents expressed their distress over a 12.5% rent increase, which they argued is particularly burdensome for a community largely composed of retirees on fixed incomes.

Representatives from the mobile home park's advisory board urged the board to support their appeal against the rate hike, emphasizing the need for a more manageable increase that aligns with historical averages. The board discussed the implications of the proposed increase and the lack of transparency from EBMUD regarding their rate-setting processes.

The meeting concluded with a motion to draft a letter of opposition to EBMUD, seeking to advocate for the residents' interests and potentially mitigate the financial strain caused by the proposed rate increases.