East Lyme — The Zoning Commission unanimously approved Thursday a request by Noble Jay Brewing Company to allow a brew pub in a light industrial area.

Old Saybrook resident Michael Lincoln Jr. has said he requested the regulation change so he can open up a brewery and serving area at 11 Freedom Way near Rocky Neck State Park.

He has said he hopes to open the business in early to mid-2016.

On Thursday, Theodore Harris, an attorney for the developers, returned to the commission, after first addressing the commission last month, with a "more restrictive" definition of a brew pub that will allow the sale of only beer and wine, rather than all alcoholic beverages.

The approval is to allow a brew pub as a special permitted use in a light industrial zone. This means the developer will have to return to the commission with a specific application for the site.

The definition also contains further stipulations, including that the space dedicated to serving and sales could not exceed 40 percent of the building's space.

This is the second brewery in the works for Niantic, after the Zoning Commission previously approved an application for the Niantic Public House and Brewery in downtown Niantic.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich