Aliyya Swaby Photo
Wilson.
East Rock Brewing Company can set up shop on Nicoll Street, after sailing through the zoning process.
Company owner Tim Wilson received special exceptions to allow beer manufacturing and to allow no parking spaces on site where 29 are required, at Tuesday night’s Board of Zoning Appeals meeting at 200 Orange. St. The 28,000 square-foot space would include a beer hall/tasting room and a manufacturing space.
Commissioners unanimously approved the special exceptions.
At last month’s zoning meeting, several neighbors, including East Rock Alder Anna Festa, turned out to support the business, saying it would encourage foot traffic in the neighborhood. Two people, including Michael Bradford, opposed it, arguing it was no different than a bar and would fuel vandalism and alcoholism in the neighborhood.
Wilson said the brewery will sell only beer, not wine or liquor, and is not intended to perform the same function as a bar. Customers are intended to learn more about beer and try a few new types, he said, not get drunk.
After the meeting Bradford needed to return home to, as he put it, "yell at those darn kids to get off my lawn".