Shakopee appears ready to embrace the craft beer and wine- and spirits-making craze as it considers zoning changes to open more parts of the city to small breweries, wineries and distilleries.
The businesses currently are permitted only in light and industrial districts as production operations. But the boutique breweries, wineries and distilleries now popping up around the metro area are more retail in nature. The proposed zoning change in Shakopee specifies size restrictions for the businesses that could go into the commercial areas now populated by stores and restaurants, including downtown.
The Planning Commission recently recommended the City Council approve the revisions. Community Development Director Michael Leek said he expects the council to consider the new rules next month.
Leek said the city decided to look at the possible changes after getting several inquiries from people interested in sites for brewpubs, microbreweries and small wineries and distilleries.
"We don't have someone at the door right now, but we want to put this forward so we would be prepared to respond based on the inquiries we've been getting," Leek said.
Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke said he's glad city planners used the inquiries as a springboard for examining current zoning rules and proposing the revisions.
"I'm really excited about city staff moving forward on this, something for improving our business climate," Tabke said. He said the addition of a brewpub could be "a perfect fit for Shakopee's historic downtown."
In addition to downtown, the city also has fielded queries on sites along Hwy. 101 and 169, some in the Southbridge commercial area, Leek said. He said the interest has come from entrepreneurs, like home-brewing enthusiasts eager to take the next step and open small commercial operations.