In the quiet of a city council meeting, months after Prince George's new downtown brewer made its big announcement, Crossroads Brewery got the approval it needed to make its business official.
As it stands, brewing and distilling are only allowed in industrial zones. So, on Monday the company made a request for a one-year temporary use permit for its urban spot, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and George Street.
If all goes well principal owners Daryl Leiski and Bjorn Butow could apply for a further three years, but council heard staff are looking to amend the zone to include brewing and distilling.
"We're hoping the one year will be enough time to have the zoning bylaw catch up with the proposed use," staff said.
While all who spoke said they supported the venture, Coun. Jillian Merrick cautioned other developers from taking a similar approach.
"I'm supporting it because I think it's a good use for the downtown," she said. "It put us in a tricky position in that the business was announced and launched in a very public way before any of this was ever dealt with the city. If this were a more controversial or contentious zoning it would have put us in a very difficult place.
"I appreciate that this is a new venture and we're figuring things out as we go along but I just discourage any future developer from using that same approach as it definitely puts council in a rock and a hard place."
The venue, which will take up where Tony Roma's Steakhouse one was, is a great spot for the craft beer, said Coun. Brian Skakun.
"I think perhaps the enthusiasm caught up to them with the oversight but I fully support it going forward. I think it's just another key niche in the downtown that's going to do very well," said Skakun, a sentiment echoed by Coun. Garth Frizzell.
"Regardless of how good the product is I think this is timely, and I know the product is good," Frizzell said with a laugh.
