Salem brewery application decision postponed until January
Salem — The public hearing portion of Fox Farm Brewery's zoning change application has been closed after three meetings of resident comments. The final decision is expected to be made in January.
After closing the public hearing Tuesday, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairwoman Gloria Fogarty gave the commission until 9 p.m. to discuss the application that would establish a Special Agricultural Zone at 62 Music Vale Road to allow for the development of a farm brewery.
She said there were many things to discuss, including a list of concerns gathered by Town Planner Richard Serra from comments at the hearing.
Continuing the discussion to the Jan. 19 meeting would allow the commission to fully review the application, she said
Public attendance was lighter Tuesday than at previous sessions on Nov. 17 and Nov. 24.
Many residents, most of whom live on Music Vale Road, returned to voice additional concerns about the application. These included the hours of operation, the designation of a brewery as an agricultural endeavor, and the validity of the claims that the brewery would not adversely impact traffic patterns or property values on the road.
Ed Natoli and Mary Maiorano, both residents of Music Vale Road, challenged the brewery's ability to limit excessive drinking on the property, claiming that there is no way to stop people from ordering multiple tasting flights or opening growlers on-site. They cited a line in the application narrative that said the brewery would allow people to bring food in for their own consumption, which they said may encourage people to stay longer and drink more.
Zack Adams, who is proposing the brewery, said the zoning application and the state manufacturer's permit for the brewery do not stipulate how much a patron can be served.
Fogarty and Serra concurred, citing recent decisions from the East Lyme Planning and Zoning Commission approving the Niantic Public House and Brewery and Noble Jay Brewing Company.
Instead, Adams said, all employees will be certified under the TIPS alcohol-serving training and able to deny service to any patron. He suggested a flight or two pours as possible limits, as the plan for the tasting room is to sample on site and purchase a growler or keg to take home.
Serra said the commission has enough information to make a fully informed decision, including the approval from the Inland Wetlands and Conservation Commission.
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