FREEPORT – A newly enacted zoning amendment will allow the production of what is being called artisan food and beverages in four Freeport districts, and also allow some businesses to have food trucks on their premises.

The Planning Board on Oct. 1 enacted the zoning amendments. Businesses will be allowed to make artisan food and beverages, as defined in the amendment, in the village commercial districts. Food trucks will not be allowed in the village, or to operate on town streets.

Town Planner Donna Larson said that the changes are not food truck zoning amendments, per se. Maine Beer Co., on U.S. Route 1 South, requested the amendment.

“We allowed a new use called artisan food and beverage in response to a growing sector,” Larson said. “There are microbreweries, microdistilleries and small-scale artisan food production. So we have a new use called artisan food and beverage. In some districts, the business is allowed to have a food truck on their property. It is not a food truck ordinance. It is just cracking the door open.”

Larson said that the business owner with food trucks on the property must make public bathrooms available.

“There is a synergy between the host use and the food truck,” she said.

Larson said that the old definition on the zoning ordinance was manufacturing and processing.

“Artisan food and beverage is a different use,” she said. “It’s not standard manufacturing and processing. This is clearer. It’s clearer language. It’s somewhat of an invitation.”

Keith McBride, executive director of the Freeport Economic Development Corp., agreed. The amendment establishes specialty food and beverage as a priority in town, he said.

“It sends that message,” McBride said. “It’s created a use that’s different than manufacturing.”