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
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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.
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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.
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