Commission says no to land rezoning for Tennessee distillery

August 14, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. | Updated August 14, 2019 at 11:59 a.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this March 19, 2015 file photo, bottles of spirits are on display at the Prichard's Distillery in Nashville, Tenn. A spirits industry trade group says the tariff-induced hangover for American whiskey producers became more painful in late 2018. The Distilled Spirits Council said Thursday, March 20, 2019 that a downturn in American whiskey exports accelerated at the end of last year, especially in the European Union _ the industry’s biggest overseas market. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
FILE - In this March 19, 2015 file photo, bottles of spirits are on display at the Prichard's Distillery in Nashville, Tenn. A spirits industry trade group says the tariff-induced hangover for American whiskey producers became more painful in late 2018. The Distilled Spirits Council said Thursday, March 20, 2019 that a downturn in American whiskey exports accelerated at the end of last year, especially in the European Union _ the industry’s biggest overseas market. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

CUNNINGHAM, Tenn. (AP) -- A county commission is Tennessee has once again denied a land rezoning application by several residents hoping to open a small-batch distillery.

The Leaf-Chronicle reports the Montgomery County Commission voted to deny the Cunningham application on Monday, per the Regional Planning Commission's recommendation. This is the second time since 2016 that commissioners have denied the request by William Witkowski, David Spottiswood and Justin Jensen.

The trio had requested a patch of rural property off Highway 13 currently zoned to the AG Agricultural District be rezoned to the county's relatively new AGC Agricultural Commercial District classification.

The Agricultural District permits businesses that have a clear farming component; The distillery planned to use locally-grown corn. Nearby residents argued the business wouldn't fit the community and posed fire and environmental hazards.

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