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DeFazio Farm asks council about additional liquor license; officials say zoning and public review required
Summary
Michael DeFazio’s representative asked the Scituate Town Council whether the town would consider adding an extra by‑the‑glass liquor license so the vineyard could host larger events; councilors said they might consider an amendment but stressed zoning, planning board review and public input would be required.
Michael DeFazio’s representative asked the Scituate Town Council to indicate whether the town would be open to adding a by‑the‑glass (BV) liquor license so DeFazio Farm and Winery could expand events such as weddings and fundraisers. Councilors said they would consider adding a license in principle but emphasized the process requires an ordinance amendment, zoning and planning board review and public hearings before a license could be issued.
Anthony De Beas, representing Michael DeFazio, told the council his client operates a vineyard and currently holds a wine license but cannot host larger events under that license. "He's looking to expand his business... he can't bring in larger crowds on just that wine license," De Beas said. De Beas explained the owner has not invested in larger infrastructure — septic upgrades and permitting — until he has confidence the town would allow the additional license.
Council members noted the ordinance that caps BV licenses would have to be amended before any new application could be filed. The meeting referenced "ordinance 6‑4 liquor license limited, increasing the number of BV beverage licenses allowed in town," and councilors said that, if the council chose to amend the ordinance, the change alone would not guarantee a license for any single applicant. One councilor said, "I would not be opposed to considering adding another BV license," but added that any amendment would create an open application process and that multiple parties could apply.
Councilors and members of the public also flagged neighborhood impacts, proximity to other liquor outlets and the need for zoning relief. Jackie Bridal, a resident who spoke during the item, asked what criteria the council would use in deciding whether to amend the ordinance; councilors said neighbor input, zoning compatibility and the town’s economic development interests would factor into their decisions. A councilor also said that any applicant could need approvals from the planning board and zoning board and should expect public hearings on the matter.
No formal motion or vote was taken. The council treated the item as informational: members signaled they would consider the idea but emphasized the procedural steps required before DeFazio or any other business could obtain a new BV license.
Next steps: If the council decides to move forward with an ordinance change, the item would return to the council docket and, if amended, the new license availability would be subject to a public application process and local zoning reviews.
