Liquor distilleries could soon join the alcohol-producing businesses that can be licensed to operate in Ellijay.
City councilmembers gave the first reading of a new distillery ordinance when meeting Monday, March 15. No public comment or objection to the ordinance was given.
The city already has ordinances and licensing in place for breweries and wineries.
The new ordinance also applies to micro-distilleries, defined as a producer of alcoholic distilled spirits of up to 500 barrels per year for the purpose of wholesale distribution with incidental retail sales to the public for on-site consumption.
A cost for the distillery license has not been determined yet, confirmed Mayor Al Hoyle.
Among the particulars contained in the ordinance:
﹣ Distilleries shall not be permitted at a location that is not properly zoned for that use.
﹣ A licensed distillery is authorized to manufacture distilled spirits for sale to wholesale dealers and consumers.
﹣ No individual shall be permitted to own or operate a distillery (or micro-distillery) without first obtaining the proper license from the city.
﹣ A distillery shall not dispense more than 6 ounces of distilled spirits manufactured and consumed onsite within a 4-hour period to any individual except when “food” is provided by a third-party vendor, the consumer or the licensee.
James Sturgeon, owner of the in-progress White Path Distillery, attended the city council’s February meeting to give an update on his establishment under construction off Old Northcutt Road. The facility will produce apple and peach brandy and offer tours and tastings, Sturgeon noted.
Sturgeon said he’s about 80 percent complete on the distillery building and is due for a government inspection by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). If that permit is granted, he can finish the building and will also have to obtain city and state licensing before it can open.
He hopes to be open by May of this year, but said there’s no guarantee of that.
“I have to get the TTB license to have a still built,” Sturgeon said. “They won’t build them without a license because they’re illegal (without it).”
Hoyle said the distillery ordinance will be on next month’s agenda for action, and changes can still be made.
If passed at the next council meeting, it will become effective April 19.
In other news ...
﹣ Hoyle gave an update on a traffic study proposed by councilmember Tom Crawford the February meeting. The study is being done to give the city a look at its options for improving pedestrian safety and traffic flow downtown.
It will be performed by WLA Studios, formerly The Jaeger Company, the same landscape architecture firm that designed all but one of downtown Ellijay’s Streetscape projects. Representatives will assess pedestrian and traffic flow, while also looking at areas in need of repairs and/or upgrades.
﹣ Councilmembers approved the Ellijay Police Department putting three of its vehicles — 2012, 2011 and 2008 Dodge Chargers — up for auction.
Police Chief Ed Lacey said the 2011 and 2012 cars each have nearly 100,000 miles on them and were purchased as used program cars that were previously used for such events as police conventions.