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Council approves variances for Foreign Local Brewery on Kennedy Avenue, 9-0
Summary
The Hammond City Council voted unanimously to approve two zoning variances allowing Foreign Local Brewery to open in Hessville, with council members citing local jobs and downtown revitalization.
The Hammond City Council on Sept. 22 unanimously approved two zoning actions to allow Foreign Local Brewery to operate in Hessville, votes that city leaders said will create local jobs and reuse an underused commercial property.
Councilman Rakos moved to pass ordinance 25-21, a variance of use for Foreign Local Holdings LLC, and the motion passed 9-0 following a roll call. The council then approved a related variance (25-22) and a zoning change tied to BZA case Z2515 for property at 6716–6718 Kennedy Avenue, also by a 9-0 vote.
The measures originated from the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals and were presented as implementing the BZA recommendations. Mayor Tom McDermott described the site as the old Host Connection building on the 6700 block of Kennedy Avenue and said the new business plans to open by the end of the year, create about 10 to 15 jobs and represent roughly a $1 million investment in Downtown Hessville. “It’s the perfect type of business the city’s been striving for in Downtown Hessville,” McDermott said.
Councilman Salinas spoke in support: “I met Mike personally. He’s a responsible business owner,” Salinas said, referring to the brewery’s proprietor, who was present at the meeting. The owner, identified in the meeting as Mike Kolacki, answered questions during caucus and told council members he expects to brew a beer they discussed — referenced in the meeting as the “ghost chant” — hopefully before the end of the year.
Council members asked whether there had been public comment at the BZA hearing and were told there were some questions from nearby residents; the clerk’s office provided draft BZA minutes to the council as part of the record. No council member registered opposition during the council votes.
The council’s approvals clear the way for the brewery to move forward with permitting and any remaining inspections or administrative steps required by city departments.
Provenance: The council’s initial description of the proposed brewery and its location was given in the mayor’s report (see transcript excerpt). The motions, roll calls and final 9-0 outcomes appear in the meeting minutes and roll call recorded later in the meeting.
Ending: With the variances approved, city staff and the business will proceed with local permitting and inspections; council members signaled support for the project as a downtown revitalization step.
