The Elmwood Township Board postponed reforming the alcohol regulations in the township’s zoning ordinance at their monthly meeting Monday.
Instead, officials directed the township planning commission to meet with Traverse City Whiskey Company (TC Whiskey) staff to ensure the new language does not impede the distillery’s development at 9440 S. Center Highway.
TC Whiskey plans to open a 70,000-square-foot whiskey production facility at this address, the site of an old Cherry Growers Co-op facility. According to township Planning/Zoning Administrator Sarah Clarren, however, the company has not shown that they’re completed “substantial construction” on several features since the site plan was approved in 2022.
And if TC Whiskey doesn’t complete substantial construction by October, they’ll need to go back to the planning commission to get approval to continue the project. But TC Whiskey President Chris Frederickson said he’s concerned that if the amendment is approved, the new zoning requirements they must meet will be unfavorable for his business’ sustainability and growth.
“Under no circumstance, if I were in your position, would I approve the language as it is written,” Frederickson said. “As a resident and business owner in Elmwood Township, I can commit to you that I will work with Sarah and the team to help create a better, deeper understanding of the words that have been chosen.”
“There are several items that just don’t make sense for the livelihood of distillery, brewery, or microbrewery,” Frederickson said. “What is being proposed in front of you, I can promise, does not make sense as it relates to practical business operations.”
In Clarren’s opinion, the amendment fills a hole in the township’s zoning ordinance. She explained to the newspaper that currently, anyone can obtain a distillery and microbrewery license in the township’s agricultural district without meeting any of the usual requirements for that district. Clarren also said that TC Whiskey could obtain variances after the amendment passes, if needed.
“There are so many holes in this ordinance, and you will continue to get the same thing, over and over again, and there is going to be nothing that I or the planning commission can do to stop the over-industrialization of our ag district. Our current ordinance does not meet the intent of our master plan, or the intent of our ag district,” Clarren said.
Several board members indicated that they viewed TC Whiskey’s expansion to Elmwood township favorably and did not want to create issues for the company as they go forward with their project. TC Whiskey obtained a small distiller’s license for the property back in 2018 and has made some progress, including the recent completion of a new 20,000-square-foot warehouse.
Ultimately, the board voted 6-1 to send the amendment back to the planning commission for the second time. The dissenting vote was from township Trustee Dave Darga, who said the zoning ordinance amendment “makes perfect sense to me, if we weren’t talking about one specific company.” Darga also said Frederickson has not identifi ed specific problems with the amendment.
The township board also: - Approved a preliminary project cost estimate for improvements to the Timberlee Water System, to include removing the existing tank and replacing it with two smaller tanks. The project is intended to bring the system in compliance with Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy requirements. The project costs are estimated to be $964,000.
- Approved a memorandum of agreement with the township’s Professional Fire Fighters union, allowing bargaining unit employees may enroll spouses and dependents in the township’s health insurance plan, provided they pay 20% of the premium, pre-tax, through payroll deduction.
- Scheduled a special meeting to discuss various concerns with phase three of the township marina improvements for Monday.
