Former cinema building in Chatham could be re-zoned and converted into a craft brewery. March 16, 2016. (Photo by Simon Crouch) Former cinema building in Chatham could be re-zoned and converted into a craft brewery. March 16, 2016. (Photo by Simon Crouch)
Chatham

Craft Beer Development Planned

Chatham-Kent council will consider a change that could see a new business and tourist attraction in downtown Chatham.

Council will consider changing the designation of the former Cinema Six property at the corner of Adelaide St. and King St. to permit the development of a craft brewery, with plans to also make cider at a future dates.

Planning Consultant Tom Storey says it is seen as a good fit with other businesses in the area that are aimed at attracting tourists.

He says some changes are needed to make the new business fit.

"The zoning in the official plan does not permit an industrial type use like a brewery, so we have through changes to both documents," he says. "There would be some food preparation on the site, certainly the zoning would permit it, but the retail I also understand would be buying the bottled beer as well as perhaps consuming it, they call it a tasting room."

The proposal goes before council Monday night.

Storey says issues like parking are not a problem because the cinema needed more parking than is required for a craft brewery.

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