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Mathews planners endorse microbrewery zoning change

The Mathews County Planning Commission endorsed a proposed change to the zoning ordinance on Tuesday that would allow craft breweries, wineries and distilleries as by-right uses in the downtown district.

Two requests for conditional use permits were also endorsed after joint public hearings on all three matters with the Mathews County Board of Supervisors.

Planning and Zoning Director Thomas Jenkins requested the zoning amendment to allow small-scale alcohol production in the Village Mixed Used District. The proposal sparked extended discussion. If passed, it would allow for the establishment of a facility that could produce up to 10,000 barrels of beer, 5,000 gallons of wine or cider, and 36,000 gallons of distilled spirits annually. Such products would be sold either retail or wholesale and either on or off the premises. Such a business could also have accessory uses such as a restaurant or live entertainment, and would have to meet all federal and state laws.

Jenkins proposed tha...

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