Brewery plans move forward

By Justin Faulconer

Published: May 4, 2006

With wine lovers already having their places to go in Nelson County, beer lovers may soon have a new place to get a cold one.

The Planning Commission approved a rezoning request for two parcels of land located on the east side of Rockfish Valley Highway, which planning and zoning director Fred Boger said wanted to be used for a microbrewery.

Property owners David and Josephine Corbin submitted the request to rezone the property, which is north of Sycamore Lane, from Residential (R-1) to Agricultural (A-1).

Taylor Smack, the purchaser, said that he wanted to build a home on one of the lots and the microbrewery, to be called Blue Mountain Brewery, on the other. The plans are to build a 1,900-square-foot brewery, a 1,900-square-foot tasting room and grow hops (plants that produce beer) on the property.

Smack said he wanted the brewery to have a farm-like atmosphere that resembles those of wineries throughout the county. He said he has been planning the operation for two years.

“We’re breaking new ground with this,” said Smack. “We’re going for an atmosphere where you don’t belly up to the bar.”

Chairwoman Philippa Proulx asked Smack if he would be required to also sell food. He said that the operation would be required to sell a minimum of $2,000 a month in food, but it would be first and foremost a brewery.

Questions from the commission included parking concerns, water supply and whether or not the acreage would be big enough. Smack said the land size was sufficient and a contingency on the purchase was to drill a well for water.

Thomas Bruguiere Jr., liaison to the Board of Supervisors, asked if the brewing would create any smells.

“Only a good one,” Smack responded.

Boger informed the planners that approval could constitute as “spot zoning” along Virginia 151.

The Comprehensive Plan designates the area of the subject property as “rural and farming” and the property was zoned as a residential subdivision in 2005.

However, Boger wasn’t against the idea.

“It’s like a mom and pop operation,” he said. “We like that sort of business in the county.”

Several residents spoke in favor of allowing the operation.

Andrew Hodson, owner of Veritas Winery, said he supported it because Smack was an excellent beer-maker and it would be a positive aspect for the community.

“I’d be very proud to know Taylor is down the road from me,” said Hodson. “I know people would drive a long way to visit. I’m pretty sure it will work.”

Edward Pelton, Hodson’s son-in-law and an employee of Veritas, said he believed Smack’s intentions were good.

“His heart is in the right place,” said Pelton. “He will do it tastefully and respectively. It’s going to be a lot of work but I think he will enjoy it.”

Following public comments, the planning members gave their thoughts.

“It’s a small piece of property,” said Proulx. “I could see some justification of not considering it spot zoning.”

“I don’t think this is spot zoning,” said Michael Harman. “It’s a good use for the county.”

The commission voted 5-0 to approve the request.

It also voted unanimously to hold a public hearing on May 24 on a resolution of intent to amend Section 12-5 of the zoning ordinance to allow a “vegetative rubbish recycling facility” by conditional use permit.

With a similar vote, it also will hold a public hearing on May 24 to amend the ordinance to allow residential dwellings in a Business District (B-1) by conditional use permit.