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Brentwood council advances zoning changes to regulate on‑premise alcohol sales
Summary
The council directed staff to move forward with a focus zoning code update that would create citywide standards for on‑premise alcohol sales with exceptions (downtown, innovation center, PD‑6), set a 500‑foot school separation for on‑sale establishments and require conditional use permits in certain residential proximity/time cases.
The Brentwood City Council directed staff to advance a zoning code update that would create a consistent approach to regulating on‑premise alcohol sales across most of the city while retaining special treatment for downtown and other targeted districts.
Principal planner Jennifer Hagen and consultant Perry Banner described draft changes that would apply citywide with exceptions for the downtown, innovation center, and PD‑6. Key recommendations included prohibiting on‑sale alcohol establishments within 500 feet of K–12 public or private schools, requiring a conditional use permit for restaurants located within 100 feet of residentially zoned properties, and introducing time‑based CUP triggers for restaurants between 100 and 300 feet of residential zones if they propose operating after 10 p.m.
Banner explained the intent was to reduce zoning complexity and provide clearer guidance to businesses seeking locations, noting the city currently contains many plan areas with inconsistent rules. Council members asked how existing businesses would be affected; staff said properties that become nonconforming (for example, within 500 feet of a school) would be allowed to continue under legal nonconforming status but could be restricted from expansion. The discussion also covered tasting rooms and breweries, which are typically treated like bars and generally require CUPs unless tied to a full‑service restaurant.
Council adopted a motion to proceed with the draft ordinance and to include grandfathering language for existing businesses, and staff will return with a final draft for the planning commission and then for council adoption. No immediate regulatory changes took effect at the meeting; the item advances the ordinance drafting process.
