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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260502 3257 S Broadway Dancing Grain Temporary Use Permit NarrativeDANCING GRAIN FARM BREWERY dancinggrain.corn i @_dancing —Brain info @doncingg rain.com (518( 808-3432 Rachel McDermott Dancing Grain Farm Brewery 180 Old VVest Rd Gansevoort, NY 12831 City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board Attn: Mark Pinget, Chair c/o Susan Barden, AICP Administrator, Office of Planning and Economic Development City Hall 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 RE: PROPOSED TEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL MARKETAND FARM BREWERY SATELLITE LOCATION - 3257 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York Dancing Grain Farm Brewery respectfully submits this narrative in support of a proposed temporary agricultural market and farm brewery satellite location at 3257 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs. At its core, this proposal is not simply a brewery operation. It is a temporary agricultural retail outlet operated by a working New York farm. Dancing Grain Farm Brewery, located in Gansevoort, New York, is New York State's only fully New York State Grown & Certified Farm Brewery and the only New York State Certified Women -Owned Brewery. Unlike traditional breweries that purchase ingredients from outside suppliers, Dancing Grain grows the grain used in its products and oversees the entire production process from seed to finished product. Our farm -to -glass model begins with crops planted in New York soil and continues through cultivation, harvest, processing, manufacturing, packaging, and direct -to -consumer sales. We grow the grain used in our products, cultivate flowers and ornamental crops, operate a large seasonal pumpkin program, and produce value-added agricultural products from ingredients grown on our farm and throughout New York State. Several of our products incorporate ingredients grown directly on our farm, including grain, flowers, botanicals, and specialty crops. We are also proud to be New York State's only producer of New York State Grown & Certified non-alcoholic beer. Both our alcoholic and DANCING GRAIN FARM BREWERY dancinggrahcom I @dancing —grain i n (o;-P d a n c i n g g ra i n. c o m (518) 808-3432 non-alcoholic beverages are manufactured using agricultural ingredients grown on our farm and within New York State. In addition, we produce functional non-alcoholic beverages utilizing ingredients cultivated on our farm and sourced from New York agricultural producers. The proposed satellite location will operate as an extension of our existing agricultural business and agritourism activities. Products available for sale will include: o Packaged beer products manufactured by Dancing Grain Farm Brewery using grain grown on our farm and other qualifying New York agricultural ingredients. o Non-alcoholic beer products manufactured using ingredients grown on our farm and within New York State. • Functional beverages produced using New York agricultural ingredients. o Fresh -cut flowers grown on our farm. ® Pumpkins, ornamental corn, and other seasonal agricultural products. • Additional value-added agricultural products produced in compliance with New York State Farm Brewery requirements. As both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages sold at the location are manufactured using agricultural ingredients grown by our farm, the proposed operation functions as an extension of our agricultural production, direct farm marketing, and agritourism activities. In addition to beverage sales, the location will operate similarly to a seasonal farm market, showcasing agricultural products grown and produced by our operation. Dancing Grain Farm Brewery has extensive experience operating agricultural tourism destinations and direct -to -consumer agricultural sales. Our annual Sunflower Festival attracts thousands of visitors annually and has become one of the region's most recognized agritourism events. In addition to our sunflower operation, we host seasonal farm events, educational programming, tours, community gatherings, and a large pumpkin program that connect consumers directly with New York agriculture and farming. The proposed operation is consistent with New York State's longstanding policy objectives of supporting agriculture, expanding market access for farmers, encouraging agritourism, and promoting direct -to -consumer sales of New York agricultural products. The products sold at the location consist primarily of agricultural products and value-added agricultural products produced by our farm. Proposed Dates and Hours of Operation DANCING GRAIN FARM BREWERY dancinggrain.corn ) C'dancing_grain in(o'ddancinggrain.com (518) 808-3432 Dancing Grain Farm Brewery proposes to operate on a maximum of sixteen dates during the 2026 season: o July 17 A July 18 ® JLily 24 Q July 26 o July 29 o July 30 o August 6 o August 7 e August 9 o August 11 o August 12 a August 20 o August 21 o August 29 o August 30 o September 5 Hours of operation will generally be between 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., although opening times may vary slightly depending upon weather conditions and anticipated visitor traffic. The operation is intended primarily as a daytime 1e and early -evening agricultural retail use. Due to the nature of the site and the absence of permanent lighting infrastructure, operations will conclude no later than 7:00 p.m. each day. All customer service activities, sales, and site cleanup will be completed promptly thereafter. No nighttime operations are proposed. Site Operations DANCING GRAIN FARM BREWERY dancinggrain.com I @dancing -drain info @ d a n c i n g g r a i n. c o rn (518)808-3432 The proposed operation has been intentionally designed to be temporary, low -impact, and self-contained. Sales will be conducted from a mobile beverage trailer owned and operated by Dancing Grain Farm Brewery. The trailer contains four draft taps and space for packaged product sales. A temporary service canopy will be erected and removed on each operating day. Customer seating will be limited to a small number of picnic tables located beneath a Seasonal canopy structure. At the conclusion of each operating day, all inventory, beverage products, service equipment, point -of -sale systems, signage, and mobile trailers will be removed from the property and returned to the farm. No permanent buildings, foundations, utilities, or site modifications are proposed. The operation is entirely reversible and can be removed from the property at anytime without physical impact to the site. A temporary reStrvOm facility `vtiith a iiai tuv✓aSiiirig Station `vir'M b2 �rv`viucu for customers and staff. Bottled water will be available for purchase. As the site does not currently provide potable water service to customers, bottled water will be provided as an alternative beverage option. In accordance with applicable New York State Liquor Authority requirements, light snack items will also be available for purchase. These items will consist of individually packaged products such as pretzels, chips, popcorn, and similar shelf -stable snack foods. No cooking, food preparation, amplified entertainment, outdoor music, live performances, or other intensive commercial activities are proposed as part of the operation. Economic Development and Community Benefit The proposed location represents an opportunity to activate an underutilized commercial property along one of Saratoga Springs' most highly traveled corridors. Located on Route 9 in close proximity to Saratoga Performing Arts Center and other major tourism destinations, the site receives substantial seasonal traffic yet remains underutilized. Rather than remaining vacant or inactive during the height of Saratoga's tourism season, the property will temporarily showcase New York agriculture, local entrepreneurship, and value-added agricultural products to thousands of visitors traveling through the community. 0 DANCING GRAIN FARM BREWERY dancinggrain.com I @doncing-grain info' aPdoncinggroinxorn i518j 808-3432 As tourism patterns continue to evolve throughout the Capital Region, visitor activity is increasingly concentrated around a limited number of major destinations. For small orcrir+r rl+r trol nrnrlr rr•orc mnintoininrf %rioihilif-w onrl rliront or ess to r• not rrnnro haoi become u6r Ic"nI—rrvu IJ, �unr�uni� rb r�J�_""y urru ur w.v�uvv JJ w vJrrJur increasingly important. This temporary satellite location will allow Dancing Grain Farm Brewery to introduce visitors to products they may not otherwise encounter while supporting local agriculture and expanding awareness of New York -grown products. Unlike traditional beverage manufacturers, Dancing Grain Farm brewery's economic impact extends well beyond beverage production. Our business supports crop production, agricultural employment, agritourism, local supply chains, educational programming, and charitable initiatives. Every product sold represents agricultural activity occurring on a ,vor I ng New York farm. Unlike virtually every other brewery operating within Saratoga County, Dancing Grain Farm Brewery is an agricultural producer first. The risks associated with farming —including weather, crop yields, disease pressure, production costs, and agricultural market conditions —are substantial. Our commitment to sustainable agriculture, local sourcing, environmental stewardship, value-added agricultural production, and women -owned entrepreneurship distinguishes our operation within the regional beverage industry. The City of Saratoga Springs has long demonstrated support for tourism, entrepreneurship, small business development, and agricultural heritage. This proposal advances all four objectives while providing visitors with a direct connection to New York agriculture. Dancing Grain Farm Brewery is also deeply committed to community engagement and charitable giving. Through annual fundraising events, community partnerships, and educational programming, we actively support organizations throughout the region. Recent initiatives have benefited the South Glens Falls Fire Company, Wellspring of Saratoga, the Veterans Business Council, and numerous local nonprofit organizations through our Community Pint Night program. We believe strongly that successful businesses have a responsluility to. reinvest in the col I Ilnu IIUes they serve. This proposal represents a low -impact, temporary, and fully reversible use that supports agriculture, agritourism, women -owned business development, tourism, economic development, and community engagement. It provides an opportunity to showcase New York agriculture while activating an underutilized property in a manner that is responsible, appropriate, and beneficial to Saratoga Springs. This temporary agricultural market also serves as an opportunity to evaluate the viability of a future presence within Saratoga Springs. While any future plans remain speculative, we 0 DANCING GRAIN FARM BREWERY dancinggrain.com I @dancing_grain info@ dancinggroin.com )518) 808-3432 hope this limited pilot program will help determine whether there is sufficient demand to support a longer -term investment in the City. For now, the proposal represents a small- .skate opportunity to intr vduve vi OitvrS tv NMAPI Vvr k agrivawrf fir e aiid prvvrirrre dir evt avveervs iv products grown and produced by a local farm. Requested Approvals Should the necessary approvals be obtained from the City of Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, Dancing Grain Farm Brewery intends to apply to the New York State Liquor Authority for authorization to operate on up to sixteen dates. The State Liquor Authority requires letters of no contest from both the City and the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office in order to authorize this expanded temporary operation. We respectfully request the City's support and assistance in obtaining the required approvals and identifying the appropriate contact within the Sheriff's Office responsible for issuing such correspondence. If those approvals are not received, operations would be limited to the fewer dates otherwise permitted under State Liquor Authority regulations. We believe this proposal represents a unique opportunity to support agriculture, agritourism, small business development, women -owned enterprise, economic development, and local tourism while activating an underutilized property in a manner that is temporary, responsible, and beneficial to Saratoga Springs. Additional information regarding our agricultural operation, sustainability initiatives, agritourism programming, and community involvement can be found at DancingGrain.com and through our social media channels, including Instagram @dancing rain, where we regularly share the daily realities of farming, brewing, crop production, community events, and life on a modern New York farm. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to working collaboratively with the City of Saratoga Springs to bring this temporary agricultural market to life. Respectfully submitted, Rachel McDermott Owner Dancing Grain Farm Brewery