An ordinance was passed on second reading at last Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting that amends requirements regarding breweries, distilleries and winery salerooms.
An ordinance was passed on second reading at last Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting that amends requirements regarding breweries, distilleries and winery salerooms.
“Basically this has to do with the new brewery in Haddonfield,” Mayor Neal Rochford said. “It will put some limitations on what they can and cannot do at the site.”
The ordinance, abiding by state statute on the quantity of alcohol consumed or sold from and by breweries, distilleries and winery salerooms, was adopted on second reading. Commissioners passed an ordinance stating the license holder of a limited license brewery will be able to sell an amount of 15.5 gallons per person.
Resident and member of the zoning board Brian Mulholland raised concerns with the ordinance and asked if the commissioners were allowing this amount of alcohol to be consumed.
“We are just mimicking what the state said,” Solicitor Mario Iavicoli said.
In addition, the ordinance regulates hours, allowing for these establishments to be open seven days a week, and starting to serve customers at no earlier than noon. Sunday through Thursday, these establishments must stop serving customers at 10 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays they can serve until 11 p.m.
Commissioner John Moscatelli clarified there are no ordinances in the borough that say alcohol can be sold. The commissioners have no ability to allow the sale of alcohol in town. Dating back to the 1930s when Prohibition was repealed, the state required every municipality to have a referendum to repeal prohibition, and Haddonfield never did, according to Moscatelli.
“So for residents that would like to see alcohol in town, they can feel free to get the signatures and get a referendum on the ballet and put it up for a vote,” Moscatelli said. “Commissioners don’t have the authority to do that.”
Moscatelli explained that what the state has done is put in some laws that allow the sale of wine from certain winerys and restaurants in town and also legislation that allows the creation of limited breweries and craft distilleries, so this ordinance updates the zoning code to reflect those laws and set the “requirements” for those businesses if they wanted to come into Haddonfield.
Iavicoli explained that without the ordinance in place, it could lead to “loose circumstances.” With the ordinance in place, it would allow the use of these facilities to be regulated.
Another ordinance was passed on second reading pertaining to outside seating arrangements to outdoor eating facilities adjacent to existing restaurants and businesses selling prepared food.
“This also has to do with the breweries and the fact that there will be rules and regulations as far as how tables are set up in front of their establishments,” Rochford said.
The ordinance permits an outdoor seating arrangement adjacent to a brewery, distillery and winery salesroom, provided the Alcoholic Beverage Control approved the facility. The ordinance requires all trash and litter must be contained and outside furniture be removed from the sidewalk at the end of each business day.
In other news:
• An ordinance was introduced on first reading approving amendments to the Bancroft redevelopment plan.
Back in April 2016, the commissioners adopted a redevelopment plan for the Bancroft parcel that showed how the land would be used. As negotiations furthered with the developers, both sides required a few changes. The borough suggested language changes to the redevelopment plan for review by the planning board. After 12 to 15 hours of hearings, the changes were voted on and suggestions were made to the commissioners.
“We decided not to pursue changes in the language that would make it easier to remove the berm,” Moscatelli said. “Increasing unit count and slight changes around the geometry of the building length” would also be changed to go forward with the development.
The second reading will take place on Feb. 14 where the commissioners will listen to public comment on the ordinance.
• A proclamation for School Board Recognition month was issued that recognizes contributions to local school board members, past and present.
• Authorization to approve appointments for new firefighters and explorer members were approved.
• Appointments for auxiliary police for 2018 were approved.
