USA, CT: North Branford Planning and Zoning Commission looks into allowing farm breweries to operate in towns

Allowing farm breweries to operate in towns, which would include manufacturing and brewing of beer, retail sale of beer, tasting rooms and events has been the subject public hearings recently in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission in North Branford, Patch.com reported on December 28.

The application has been submitted by Alexander DeFrancesco, of DeFrancesco Farm in North Branford, who has been very active in the movement of planting hops for beer growing in Connecticut.

DeFrancesco said since the state legislature passed legislation allowing the brewing of beer under a manufacturing permit on a farm it has been his intention to do so.

DeFrancesco said he has worked with Town Planner Carey Duques on making sure his plan would work with town regulations in mind.

Zoning officials have discussed DeFranceso's plan at both the November and December meetings. They plan to discuss it again at the PZC meeting in January.

At the December meeting, Planner Duques distributed regulations that the towns of East Lyme and North Stonington used to regulate similar facilities.

DeFranceso said while he wants to have the beer operation and farm to table dinners at the farm, the family also wants to maintain the farm as an agriculture-based operation.

Nina Frattori, who is an event coordinator, testified she has planned events at venues like what is being proposed in other similarly zoned areas. She said some towns have placed limits on noise and timeframes.

Zoning member William Galdenzi expressed concerns about whether wedding events would be suitable for a residential zone – even though it would be held on a farm.

Fellow PZC member Frances Lescovich said she would be opposed to weddings because it would then be a commercial event.

Two residents said they were concerned about the increase traffic the operation might bring to the surrounding neighborhood.

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