On Feb. 16 the Astoria City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would modify the zoning for the block where Fort George Brewery is located from General Commercial (C-3) to Central Commercial (C-4). The council is scheduled to hear the second reading and act on the request at its March 1 meeting.
Chris Nemlowill, who along with Jack Harris, own the brewery and recently purchased the brewery’s building and the adjacent Lovell Building through their company Big Beams, LLC, requested the zone change for the area bound by 14th and 15 streets and Duane and Exchange streets.
In testimony before the city planning commission on Jan. 26, Nemlowill said the zone change would lift parking restrictions presently in place in the C-3 zone.
Under the present zone, the owners would have to use a former parking garage beneath the Lovell Building for off-street parking. However, their plans call for using that space to brew their product. He said the Lovell Building would not generate regular visitors and thus would not require additional parking.
Big Beams previously purchased the Hertz Car Rental parking lot across the street to meet the parking needs of patrons at the Fort George Brewery.
The planning commission on Jan. 26 unanimously recommended the city council approve the zone change.