Pearland City Council approved an ordinance Feb. 23 to expand the range of acceptable zones for microbreweries. Under the ordinance, microbreweries, microdistilleries, microwineries and coffee roasting will be allowed with a conditional use permit in the following zone districts: Cullen mixed-use, Garden-Oday mixed-use, Old Townsite general business, Old Townsite mixed-use, general business, general commercial, light industrial and heavy industrial. The types of facilities included in this amendment, which typically are much smaller than breweries and also independently owned, are defined as businesses in which beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages are brewed, fermented or distilled for distribution and consumption. These facilities must have appropriate licenses from the state of Texas. Coffee roasting establishments are facilities in which unprocessed, green coffee may be sorted, roasted and processed, or packaged for use and consumption. The facilities and all associated uses can be no larger than 1,500 feet, according to the ordinance. In addition, the businesses must include a restaurant, tasting room, bar or lounge—which must be 10 percent or 1,000 feet of the site-whichever is less. Separation distances and buffers, along with all prescribed conditions associated with the restaurant, bar or tasting room, must be met as well as Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission regulations. The city of Pearland was approached by several businesses interested in locating to the city, officials said. Such microbreweries are permitted only in heavy industrial zones and are classified as beverage plants. Meetings Pearland City Council 6:30 p.m. April 13 and 27 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland 281-652-1600 www.pearlandtx.gov