WHAT'S NEXT
The Chattanooga Brewing Co. plans to come back before the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission next month.
CHATTANOOGA BREWING CO.
* Started in 1890
* Went out of business in 1915
* Most popular beer was the Imperial Pilsner, which is being brought back
* Rejuvenated company will focus on organic and sustainable beverages
Source: Gabriel Womack.
City planners voted to defer judgment for 30 days on a rezoning request by a beer brewery which wants to begin operations at 800 North Market St.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission heard objections from neighborhood groups which said they had not been consulted on the $10,000 project, and requested time to air their differences with the applicants.
"This beer brewery will be less than two blocks from a local church, and the pastor there said he has some concerns," said Wilma Akridge, who led the opposition.
"No one presented anything to our organization," added a neighborhood association member Hattie Darby, who also opposed the project.
She said the project was a case of "spot zoning," but Regional Planning Authority staff came to the conclusion that the zoning request was appropriate after reviewing the status of nearby lots.
Gabriel Womack, who presented the plan to the zoning panel, said he had tried calling the neighborhood association "multiple times" but that the line had been disconnected.
"I apologize for not being able to connect with area representatives," he said, and added that he would address their concerns before the next planning meeting.
Chattanooga Brewing Co. representatives Jonathan Clark and Mark Marcum were in attendance, and plan to brew organic and regular beer, including one named "Imperial Pilsner," the recipe for which dates back to 1890.
Planning panel recommendations are subject to approval by the City Council
Ellis Smith joined the Chattanooga Times Free Press in January 2010 as a business reporter. His beat includes the flooring industry, Chattem, Unum, Krystal, the automobile market, real estate and technology. Ellis is from Marietta, Ga., and has a bachelor’s degree in mass communication at the University of West Georgia. He previously worked at UTV-13 News, Carrollton, Ga., as a producer; at the The West Georgian, Carrollton, Ga., as editor; and at the Times-Georgian, Carrollton, ...
Funny thing is, those who make craft beer are far more likely to take drinking it seriously than those who drink the generic stuff. The neighborhood isn't turning it's nose up at some distillery - it's turning it's nose at a high-class establishment that will improve the quality of bars around the area. Hopefully the brewery will go forward!
"This beer brewery will be less than two blocks from a local church, and the pastor there said he has some concerns," said Wilma Akridge, who led the opposition. I would ask of Wilma Akridge why the pastor of the church was not there voicing opposition.
I would ask why it even matters what the pastor of the church thinks, regarding a building two blocks away (or even next door).
If you don't want a brewery opening there, buy the property yourself and use it for whatever you want. If not, deal with it. Brewing beer is a perfectly legal activity and certainly nothing that is going to "ruin the neighborhood."
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