Smyrna closer to breweries, distilleries

There are plenty of places to grab a drink in a growing cityofmorethan55,000people. But you can’t get fresh booze in Smyrna — for now.

The city’s planning and zoning commission unanimously voted Monday to change city code and give a framework for the production of beer and spirits.

Thiswouldallowforbreweries, distilleries and brewpubs (at least 50 percent of gross sales come fromfood) in the city’s 15 square miles.

The city council has fifinal say at its Sept. 17 meeting.

Therewere 21 craft breweries inGeorgia during 2011, according to the Brewers Association. In 2017, that had grown to 69.

Still, according to the Brewers Association, that puts Georgia dead last in the nation for breweries per capita, counting only those persons 21 and older.

In its recommendation to the commission, Smyrna’s community development department said the city has been approached by numerous brewers and breweries wanting to come to the Jonquil City.

But there was a problem. “The city’s zoning ordinance is silent on breweries, brewpubs and distilleries,” according to the memo.

Sothe city planners looked athowCobbCounty, Duluth, Kennesaw and Marietta set up their rules around alcohol.

There are six breweries in Cobb, according to an interactive tool fromthe county. And then there’s one place each making distilled spirits, cider and mead.

No commissioners had questions after Rusty Martin, a senior planner with the city, gave his presentation at theMondaymeeting.

The sole resident question was about wineries, cideries and meaderies.

“We hadn’t gotten any request for that,” Martin said.