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PC 2019-07-16_8a Supplemental Memo MEMORANDUM TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: ANDREW PEREZ, ASSISTANT PLANNER SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR AGENDA ITEM 8.a. – JULY 16, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: CONSIDERATION CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 19-003 ESTABLISHMENT OF A BREWPUB IN AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL SPACE ; LOCATION – 116 W BRANCH STREET; APPLICANT – HUMDINGER BREWERY; REPRESENTATIVE – SHAWN RIDENHOUR, ARRIS STUDIO ARCHITECTS DATE: JULY 16, 2019 Attached are comments received after agenda preparation regarding the proposed project. cc: Community Development Director Public Review Binder 1 Andrew Perez From:Ruth Weece Sent:Monday, July 15, 2019 12:55 PM To:Caren Ray Russom; Jimmy Paulding; Keith Storton; Lan George; Teresa McClish; Matt Downing; Andrew Perez Subject:7/16 City Council Meeting Condistonal Use Permit 19-003 Humdinger Brewing Ruth Stewart Atascadero, CA 93422 Arroyo Grande City Council/Planning Commission 300 E. Branch Street Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 RE: Consideration of Conditional Use Permit 19-003; Establishment of a brewpub in an existing commercial space; Location -116 West Branch Street; Applicant- Humdinger Brewery To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to you today in regards to the conditional use permit 19-003 for the establishment of a Brewpub at 116 West Branch St. for Humdinger Brewery. It is my understanding that Humdinger Brewing will be coming before you to get plans approved to move forward with plans to open and establish their business in the Village of Arroyo Grande. I would like to give you my opinion on why their permit should be granted. As you can see my address is in Atascadero, CA, and while I am a current resident there I moved to Arroyo Grande with my family in 2000 and lived there until moving on to grow my own family in 2009. My family still resides in Arroyo Grande and so I am quite often given the chance to visit your beautiful town and shops. My family and I have been known to drive down to try out the local eateries like Ember, Mason Bar, and Rooster Creek since they have opened in your fair town. My husband and I travel far and wide to visit small craft breweries and we have met many people along our travels that enjoy the same. There is nothing like the thrill of finding a place you can go enjoy a beer, relax, listen to music, or just hang out with other people with similar interests. I am hoping you will consider making another one of these such spots in the existing building on West Branch. Adding an establishment like Humdinger Brewing would help to bring people from everywhere to your village, helping boost tourism and the economy. According to an Economic Report done by California Craft Brewers Association in 2017 (Craft Beer Statistics), Craft Breweries in California alone added over 54,000, have donated over $10 million to non-profit organizations and paid over $1,000,000 in taxes. In another Economic Impact Report (Economic Report) by the Brewers Association in 2017 California was ranked first in output on craft beers. According to Bart Watson, the Chief Economist for the Brewers Association, “With a strong presence across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, craft breweries are a vibrant and flourishing economic force at the local, state and national level. As consumers continue to demand a wide range of high quality, full-flavored beers, small and independent craft brewers are meeting this growing demand with innovative offerings, creating high levels of economic value in the process.” Also I would like to add that having had many encounters with the business owners, Lee Samways and Justin Amy while at various charity events throughout the County of San Luis Obispo I have found they are honorable men who have a passion for sharing their craft with people. They will be a valuable asset to add to any community’s businesses. 2 While there are many things to take into consideration when allowing a business to establish themselves among a community I hope you are able to weigh all the facts, the potential growth of the economy, and the virtuous nature of the business owners, and vote that this establishment with bring more good to the neighborhood than anything else. I would be at the meeting Tuesday to give you all this information in person as this is a project I am very passionate about seeing get off the ground, however, I have the honor of having my photos being accepted for exhibit at the California Mid State Fair. Thank you for your time, Ruth Stewart CC: Mayor Caren Russom Mayor Pro Tem Kristen Barnreich Council Member Jimmy Paulding Council Member Keith Storton Council Member Lan George Community Development Director Teresa McClish Planning Manager Matt Downing Assistant Planner Andrew Perez Sources: "Craft Beer Statistics." California Craft Brewers Association, California Craft Brewers Association, Jan. 2019, www.californiacraftbeer.com/ca-craft-beer/craft-beer-statistics/. Accessed 15 July 2019. "Economic Impact." Brewers Association, www.brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/economic-impact-data/. Accessed 15 July 2019. Life's problems wouldn't be called hurdles unless there was a way to overcome them.