Planning commission approves zoning request for new bourbon distillery

Jeff McKenzie, an attorney with Bingham, Greenbaum & Doll, shows an artist’s rendering of the proposed distillery complex as it would appear from the steps of the 1806 home on the property that will be used as a visitor’s center.

By JIM & ELIJAH BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, 8:30 a.m. — A rezoning request for a new bourbon distillery was unanimously approved Tuesday night by the Joint City-County Planning Commission.

The new distillery’s site plan includes seven rack-style bourbon warehouses, a distillery, and a possible bottling facility. The distillery will have two entrances onto Filiatreau Lane.

St. Louis-based Luxco is planning to build a 20,000 square-foot distillery and up to seven warehouses on roughly 70 acres located between KY 245 and Filiatreau Lane adjacent to the Tullamore Estates subdivision.

Attorney Jeff McKenzie, of Bingham, Greenbaum & Doll, represented Luxco at the planning commission hearing and told the commission the company chose Bardstown and this property for brand awareness and to be part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

The restored 1806 stone home that is on the property will be used as the distillery’s visitor’s center, McKenzie said. Barns that are on the property will be used in the future as gathering places.

The site plan included two entrances off Filiatreau Lane — one for tourist and visitors, the second for trucks entering the property. There will be no access directly to KY 245, McKenzie said.

The first rickhouse built will be closest to the visitor center, and plans are to make it part of the distillery tour. The warehouses will be traditional rack-style structures four or five-stories tall with a capacity of about 23,000 barrels each.

The site plan also includes the location for a future 40,000 square-foot bottling house. The company has existing bottling facilities and won’t need to build the facility immediately, McKenzie said.

Neighboring residents voiced concerns about possible noise issues, traffic problems and the aesthetics of the materials used in the distillery’s structures.

The distillery will generate significantly less traffic than the site would if it were developed as a subdivision under its existing zoning, McKenzie said.

The commission also approved Luxco’s request for a conditional use permit that is required for operating a distillery on the property.

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