City of Edmonton aims to relax rules on making beer, wine, spirits

Budding brewers in Edmonton will soon have an easier time setting up shop in most parts of the city, if council approves a bylaw to expand the existing rules.

Later this month, council will vote on two bylawsto rezone the historic neighbourhood of Old Strathcona and the Quarters downtown.

The bylaws wouldgive breweries, wineries and distilleries the green light to open in commercial areas.

"A lot of the plans that we're trying to implement in the central part of the city talk about creatingvibrant areas, destination areas for people to go to and enjoy themselves," said Andrew McLellan, a senior planner at the city,.

It was possible for small-scale brewersto get permits in commercial areas before, but the process was complicated and lengthy.

A development officer had to take several steps andwork around the language inexisting bylaws.

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"It was cumbersome for both the city and the business owner," McLellan said.

Wayne Sheridan, the owner of Situation Brewing on 81st Avenue and 103rd Street, said it took him took about 14 months to get permits.

He said the new bylaw will eliminate the complication.

"It really just removes some uncertainty I believe, to both sides," he told CBC News.

Sheridan believes the bylaw will allow the city to approve permits faster and entice would-be micro breweries in starting up.

"It will just really simplify the process for any new breweries, wineries or distilleries, that are thinking of opening in the area."

The two new bylaws are in addition to a city-wide rezoning bylaw passed by council onSept. 11.

The pending ones are specific to Old Strathcona and the Quarters.

"It's about the core heritage area of Old Strathcona, so it includes specific regulations about things like architecture and heritage character," McLellan explained.

For the Quarters between 92nd and 97thStreets and 101st and 103A Avenues, McLellan said the city is trying to redevelop that neighborhood, and in zeroing in on it separately, they can create "customized rules [and]provide incentives."

Craft beer collaboration

A few blocks from Situation, Blind Enthusiasm brews craft beer and dishes up food at the accompanying restaurant, Biera.

Owner Greg Zeschuk is in the process of building another brewery in the area he calls the "Monolith" at 78th Avenue and 99th Street.

The new facility will produce sour beer, he said.

Sheridan said he doesn't consider new breweries on the block ascompetitors.

"Our competitors are reallythe international beer factories," he said, adding that local craft brewers often collaborate and share equipment.

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"We all work together and I'd love to help anybody that's interested in starting," he said.

"The moremicrobreweriesthere are in Edmonton, the more demand for craft beer there becomes."

Councilwill be asked to look at the bylaws at a public hearing Nov. 15.

@natashariebe