PC Meeting Date: April 17, 2025
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit for Loon Liquors, LLC to Operate a Microdistillery at 115 5th Street West.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield Planning Commission is asked to recommend approval of the conditional use permit (CUP) to City Council for Loon Liquors, LLC to operate a microdistillery at 115 5th Street West.
Summary Report:
The applicant, Loon Liquors, LLC (Loon) has applied for a CUP to operate a microdistillery at 115 5th Street West. The craft distillery has been in operation for over 10 years and is owned and operated by its co-founders Simeon Rossi and Mark Schiller. Loon currently operates in the Northfield industrial park off Armstong Road. The city has worked with Loon for several years to relocate their business to downtown Northfield. The business will include a distillery, cocktail room, and pizza kitchen.
The site development standards for the C1-B: Downtown zoning district denotes the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) give feedback on projects adjacent to the Historic district. The HPC gave input at their April meeting. The HPC was broadly supportive of the project, and the discussion mostly involved clarifying questions about the future use of the building. Suggestions included the use of softer or more neutral paint tones to be more consistent with the natural brick colors of the historic district and making greater use of the adjacent alley or providing other outdoor dining.
A CUP follows a Type 4 Review Procedure found in Section 8.4.7 of the land development code (LDC). Type 4 Review Procedures requires the Planning Commission (PC) to hold a public hearing and makes a recommendation to City Council. The City Council makes the final decision on the CUP.
In the approval of a CUP, the PC may recommend City Council impose conditions as necessary to make the use compatible with other uses allowed ...
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