Council to review site plan after late request to allow distillery at Shadfest; police outline fencing, officer and permit requirements

The council considered a late request from the Chamber to permit a distillery and other alcohol service inside a contained area during Shadfest and asked organizers to provide a formal site plan before the city endorses any state application.

Mayor said the Chamber’s vice president (Carolyn) had asked whether city permission could be granted for a distillery to operate on Client’s/Klein’s Court during the Shadfest weekend. Staff and council members noted this was a late submission; state festival permits require a 60-day notice and carry detailed rules about purchase, hours, fencing, brand registration and staffing.

Lieutenant Brown told the council a special permit and a site plan are required and said any alcohol area must be fenced with separate entrances and exits, have trained staff, and be monitored by security or law enforcement; the city can require vendors to pay for officers or provide private security. Brown recommended review of a site plan before any state filing.

Several council members said Shadfest had historically been promoted as alcohol-free and expressed reluctance about adding alcohol service to the main festival footprint; others were open if the site is small, contained and adequately secured. Council members also noted that Client’s/Klein’s Court parking spaces are privately owned (former bank property) and vendors must obtain property-owner permission in addition to city and state approvals.

Because of the late submission the council asked the Chamber to present a detailed site plan at the next meeting; Shadfest was identified for April 2 and April 26. No final decision was made at this session.