Board approves use variance for distillery at 110 East Edgerton, tables sign request and backs alley vacation with 20-foot utility easement

A local land-use board approved a use variance permitting a distillery with a tasting room and limited on-site alcohol consumption at 110 East Edgerton Street and recommended that the City Council vacate a nearby alley with a 20-foot utility easement; a separate sign variance for the property was tabled for lack of applicant information.

The action came Tuesday after staff described plans by applicant and property owner John Trippie to convert the former granary at 110 East Edgerton into a distillery and tasting room. Andrew, a city staff member, said Trippie was not present at the meeting but has state-approved construction plans and intends to serve food “without a hood system,” which will limit cooking options. Andrew said the applicant proposed hours of roughly Wednesday through Saturday, noon to midnight.

The board approved the use variance on a roll call vote. Board member Hallett made the motion to approve the variance as shown on the site plan and an unnamed member seconded; the roll…