The City Council deferred its vote on the craft breweries ordinance and voted to adopt the plastic reduction ordinance amendments on Monday, September 18.
Craft Breweries: The Council deferred its vote (until the next full Council meeting) on a proposed ordinance that would enable breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other similar types of businesses to locate and operate craft beverage establishments in Newton. (See Fig City News report). The proposed ordinance defines craft beverage establishments to include any type of activity that produces or containerizes alcohol, including tap rooms and other types of craft alcohol production. According to the Planning Department’s presentation, the ordinance creates two standards:
- On-Premise consumption: These establishments must occupy a building or portion of a building that has a floor area of no less than 10,000 square feet except in Manufacturing and Limited Manufacturing districts.
- Off-Premise consumption only: Retail sale or wholesale of closed containers for off-premise consumption is permitted in a building or portion of a building that has a floor area of no more than 10,000 square feet except in Manufacturing and Limited Manufacturing districts.
For both, the use can be subject to a Special Permit for floor area over 10,000 square feet in Business Use 1-5 and Mixed Use 1-4, is permissible in Manufacturing and Limited Manufacturing, and may potentially be limited to up to 10,000 Square Feet in the proposed VCOD 2-3 districts.
Initially, a parking requirement was included in the proposed ordinance, but the Zoning and Planning Committee agreed to eliminate the parking requirement and approved the item by a vote of 7-1 with Baker opposed (see Fig City News report).
The lead sponsor of the amendment, Ward 8 At-Large Councilor and Council Vice President Rick Lipof, said, “I’m thrilled that the Zoning and Planning committee voted overwhelmingly to recommend approval to the full Council. Breweries are great gathering places that promote community and good cheer, not to mention vibrant commerce. I look forward to the city being open to these new establishments.”
The Council debated the elimination of the parking requirement, and after a motion to reinstate the requirement failed, the item was chartered by Councilor Lipof. Chartering is a procedural move that defers action on an item until the next full meeting of the City Council. (See Fig City News report.)
Reducing Single-Use Plastics: The City Council voted to approve an amendment to the City’s Sustainable Containers, Packaging, and Single Use Ordinance., after extensive debate on whether to prohibit or strongly discourage the intentional release of helium balloons. (See Fig City News article on how some businesses are moving ahead in this area, and see this Fig City News report about the Council’s discussion.) The ordinance amendment will take effect in March 2024 and will expand the reduction of single-use plastics in these ways:
- All retail stores that sell single-use dishware and packing materials must ensure that the items are reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
- Full-service sit-down restaurants must use reusable dishware.
- All food establishments that distribute takeout, food, and drink must do so in dishware and containers (larger than 4 ounces) that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
- All food establishments must provide single-use accessory items only upon request or at self-service stations.
- The City of Newton, including NPS, must serve prepared food and drinks in dishware and containers that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable and may distribute condiment packages only upon request.
- The intentional release of helium balloons is prohibited and a requirement added that helium balloons must be sold with weighted attachments.
At its September 6 meeting, the Programs and Services Committee voted to approve a version of the ordinance amendment that replaced the prohibition of the intentional release of helium balloons with language that would “strongly discourage” it. (See Fig City News report.) After a lengthy discussion, the Council voted to approve a motion to reinsert the prohibition and voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance amendment. (see Fig City News report).
Ed. Note: This article has been updated to reflect the results of the City Council’s meeting on September 18.
