The Board of County Commissioners voted to transmit a proposed zoning text amendment to the Planning Commission for public hearing that would allow farm distilleries in the RPD (Rural Preservation District), RSC (Rural Service Center), VMX (Village Mixed Use), and TMX (Town Mixed Use) zones.

Derek Berlage, director of Land Use and Growth Management, presented the item as a first reading and said the proposed amendment would follow the countys 2010 winery ordinance by allowing small-scale distillation tied to agriculture and tourism. Berlage said distilleries in the RPD would be required to cultivate grain on-site or on other lands controlled by the operator and be subject to limits on events and production size; distilleries in town- and village-mixed use zones would not carry the same on-site cultivation requirement.

"This is meant to support farming and tourism while avoiding industrial-scale facilities in the rural preservation district," Berlage said. He noted the change also requires a later change in state law for retail tasting and on-site sales; county action would permit the land-use component only.

Commissioner Daniel L. Morris moved to accept the amendments for first reading, waive the 30-day comment period and direct the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing and prepare recommendations; Commissioner Todd B. Morgan seconded the motion. The board approved the request by voice vote with one commissioner recorded as dissenting; the motion carried.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether industrial zones already permit beverage production (county staff said existing industrial uses likely allow processing-type operations) and asked staff to check whether fuel production processes might be affected by federal permitting. Several commissioners asked that the proposed text closely mirror the winery ordinance and that planning commission review include buffers, minimum lot size questions and public comment from neighbors and stakeholder groups. Berlage said that public outreach and a planning commission hearing would follow.