Bayside Brewing Co. is expanding its operations in Chatham-Kent.
An application to rezone a property located at the intersection of Charing Cross Rd. and Middle Line in South Kent, went to council Monday night for approval. The application states that the property would be used for the brewing and packaging of beer.
As stated in the report, the 26,572 sq ft property currently houses "a steel-frame structure, previously used as a service trade establishment and automobile repair shop."
Nancy Cowan, co-owner of the brewing company, mentioned in council chambers that they're not planning to put in additional lights on the structure or run shift work, so as to not cause a disturbance to those in the surrounding area.
The application received support from council and was approved in a unanimous vote.
Now that the company has gotten the "go-ahead," Cowan says they can start moving forward with plans.
"We still have a few more steps to undertake. We're getting quotes on equipment right now to look at our options," she says. "We would expect to start seeing activity there this summer."
During the council meeting, Co-owner Frank Thompson mentioned that packaging isn't expected to happen until late 2017 or early 2018. As for brewing operations, that's not expected to happen for another two to three years because of the work needed beforehand.
"There is the sourcing of equipment, training, the whole logistics of moving everything in and setting up -- it'll take time," says Cowan. "We're still in our existing location [in Erieau] and growing here, we're just looking towards the future and our needs as we go forward."
Cowan adds the expansion will likely involve hiring more people in the future.