The Flowery Branch City Council Thursday night held first reading on plans for a distillery and also gave the go-head to become a party to a case originating with the City of Milton that is now before the Georgia Supreme Court.
The distillery would be a “micro distillery” and be located at 5540 Atlanta Highway. Micro distilleries are defined as small operations “that produce spirits in small quantities, usually in single batches.” They are also known as craft distilleries or artisan distilleries.
The court case involves a wrongful death judgment of $32 million against the Milton. Milton’s appeal says the judgment sets a dangerous precedent for cities and towns across Georgia, according to WSB-TV and Milton wants it overturned.
This all began eight years ago when a 21-year-old man was killed when his car left the road and hit a concrete planter next Batesville Road.
City officials say it had been there for decades and had never been hit before and that if the ruling is upheld it would be “devastating” to cities and towns all over Georgia.
Flowery Branch becomes one of at least 40 municipalities in the state that have filed letters in support of Milton’s action.