Brewery/Tap Room Proposed For Pennypack Mill

HATBORO, PA —The borough's zoning hearing board will consider an application at its meeting Wednesday night to allow for a brewery/tap room at Pennypack Mill.

The Hatboro Zoning Hearing Board will hear three applications at its meeting Wednesday night, including a proposal by Pennypack Mill Investments, LLC, 18 Horsham Rd., for a brewery/tap room at the property.

The consideration is an interpretation from the board that the manufacturing of beer is a normal part of and subsumed under the restaurant/tap room or similar establishment use under Section 27-1202.C of the Borough of Hatboro Code of Ordinances.

An alternative interpretation is that manufacturing beer on the premises could be considered conditional use under artisan manufacturing; or, in the alternative, a variance from Section 27-1202 of the Borough of Hatboro Code of Ordinances permitting the manufacturing of beer on the premises.

The board will also consider an interpretation that the required on-site parking can be reduced by 50 percent due to the use being located in a historic structure.

Another application is an appeal by 14 E. Moreland LLC, 14 E. Moreland Ave. of action taken by the zoning officer.

The zoning officer issued a notice of violation to the applicant that determined the property is being used as a warehouse space, which is not permitted in the RC-2 Retail Commercial District.

The applicant is appealing the determination, stating that the property is used as Retail Auctions, and is seeking a determination from the board that the current use is consistent with the RC-2 Retail Commercial District Use Regulations.

The board will also hear an application by Brian Mann, AIA, Omnia Group Architects (representing Yarrington Mills Corp.), 412 S. Warminster Road, Hatboro, for a variance to build a 1,270-square-foot addition to the existing building located within the floodway.

The Zoning Hearing Board has upcoming meetings (if needed) scheduled for Jan. 10, Feb. 14, and March 13.