These are excellent questions, I wish someone had answered. We are trying to open a DSP in Belleville, Illinois and I was a little taken back at the amount of "Spirits" on the state application for a "Class 9 Micro-Distiller". With the equipment we have in place, running at full production we would end up with 14,836 "Proof Gallons" per year, leaving us with no room for expansion unless we pay for the "Clas 1 Distiller's" permit.
Where did you locate the law specifying 30,000 gallon limit for craft distillery? This is only one hurdle for us, the primary being that our building is no sprinkled and we are working with the county to come up with something. Our stills are electric direct submersion heated, no open flame anywhere, but rightfully so they are concerned with storage of combustible liquids.